Rauner rescinds DON score change
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This was yet another hugely controversial move that the governor undid today…
Expect updates.
…Adding… They’re giving credit to Rep. Dunkin…
* From SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher…
“As with child care, home healthcare for vulnerable people in Illinois will remain under the sword of Bruce Rauner until and unless his power to do harm is offset. Therefore, we urge that legislators vote for House Bill 2482 when they convene Tuesday and protect seniors and people with disabilities from ever being used as political pawns. This is not a time for celebration: We should never have gotten to this point in the first place.”
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* Crain’s…
In a sign of how the state’s energy policy dynamics have changed, a senior executive at the clout-heavy company now says Exelon is open to an alternative to a bailout—creating a state or regional market to put a price on power plant carbon emissions. That wouldn’t benefit Exelon’s nukes as directly or immediately as a subsidy but assuredly would boost the company’s finances over time.
The company continues to say that it wants Springfield to increase electricity rates statewide or it may have to close plants. But Exelon repeatedly has postponed acting after lawmakers failed to meet its deadlines for new legislation. And a brighter financial outlook for plants previously pegged as money-losers is making for a difficult sale.
Five of Chicago-based Exelon’s six Illinois nukes now are projected at least to break even within the next few years. Until recently, the company had said red ink at three of the plants—Quad Cities, Clinton and Byron—would persist, forcing Exelon to close the facilities unless it got almost $300 million in help from ratepayers through a state-mandated surcharge on their electric bills.
OK, that’s good news. No bailout is preferable. Charging for carbon plant emissions won’t be an easy thing to do in a coal-producing state like Illinois, however.
* But check this out…
Exelon is deferring all but the most immediate capital projects at Quad Cities and slicing other costs at all of its power plants as part of an upcoming cost-cutting initiative, Dominguez says.
Since I live about 50 miles from a nuclear power plant (Clinton), I would rather that they not skimp too much.
Just sayin…
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Question of the day
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Springfield…
* And Mundelein, where the new medical marijuana dispensary opened today…
* The Question: Caption?
(And I apologize in advance if you’re a Trump supporter or a medical marijuana patient. No offense meant. Just having a little fun.)
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* As subscribers know, talks on this topic appeared horribly snagged last week. No longer…
Governor Bruce Rauner announced today that his administration has reached an agreement with business groups and labor organizations to reform and improve Illinois’ unemployment insurance system.
“We have a lot of work left to turn around Illinois, but today’s agreement is a step towards making us more competitive so we can increase investment in the state and grow jobs,” Governor Rauner said. “I want to thank the legislators involved in crafting this agreement and urge the legislature to swiftly pass legislation and send it to my desk.”
“For more than 30 years, governors and legislative leaders have brought business and labor together to negotiate changes to Unemployment Insurance for the benefit all in the state of Illinois,” Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Tim Drea said. “Because it is so vital to the economy and safety net for working families, Unemployment Insurance negotiations are always difficult, but all parties were committed to the process and an equitable agreement was achieved.”
“On behalf of the employer community, we would like to thank our counterparts in labor, the Rauner Administration and the representatives of the four legislative caucuses who all played valuable roles in reaching this agreement,” said Rob Karr, President & CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “While the discussions were rigorous, they were always fair and ultimately productive.”
Under the agreed framework an individual would be ineligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits following separation with an employer if a worker:
• Damaged an employer’s property through grossly negligent conduct;
• Consumed alcohol, illegal or non-prescribed drugs during work hours in violation of an employer’s policies;
• Provided false information in an employment application;
• Endangered the safety of himself/herself or co-workers through grossly negligent conduct;
• Knowingly and repeatedly violated reasonable written attendance policies of an employer;
• Refused to obey an employer’s reasonable and lawful instructions unless the refusal is due to the lack of ability skills or training of the worker or if the instruction would result in an unsafe act; or
• Did not maintain required licenses, registrations and certifications required by law for the specific job.
Under current law, a worker could still be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if any one of the above items occurred in the workplace. For the first time ever, these common-sense reforms will be implemented, creating a more fair and stable unemployment insurance system.
Additionally, the framework allows recently separated workers who are eligible for Social Security to receive a full unemployment insurance benefit. Under current law, 50 percent of the amount an older worker receives for Social Security is subtracted from the potential unemployment insurance benefit. Illinois and Minnesota are the only two states in the nation to allow this practice. This reform will return $25 million to Illinois seniors.
Governor Rauner had made strengthening misconduct and abuse provisions central components of his unemployment insurance reform proposal.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
After many hours of negotiations, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is supporting an agreement between business leaders and organized labor on unemployment insurance changes that has been reached. “For the business community, the two key issues in the agreement are a benefit change for seniors and a change to ‘misconduct’ for employers,” said Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber.
Both changes are important philosophical revisions for both business and labor, but neither are big ticket items from a dollar perspective.
The benefit change will eliminate the offset of Social Security for determining benefits based on an individual’s income. “With this change, some seniors may now become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits where they would have previously been disqualified because of Social Security income,” explained Maisch. Others will receive higher benefits because their Social Security income would have reduced their benefit amount. Illinois is the last state in the nation to offset unemployment insurance benefits with social security.
“The proposed revisions to “misconduct” include eight typically egregious circumstances for which employers may protest a benefit claim,” said Maisch. With this compromise, employers will not have to prove that the reason for the discharge was “willful and deliberate” and caused harm to the employer or was repeated after warning or instruction from the employer.
The bigger dollar issues for the unemployment system are the elimination of changes to the law that were set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016. If there had not been any agreement to change the law, employer unemployment insurance taxes would have increased an annual $470 million, and benefits to unemployed workers would have been reduced by approximately $300 million per year.
Finally, there will be a moratorium on any UI legislation through Jan. 1, 2018. This compromise plan needs state lawmaker approval and the governor’s signature.
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It’s probably worse now
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hardly a surprise…
More than half of Sangamon County employers report the state budget deadlock — now in its fifth month– has begun to hurt sales and profitability, according to a fall survey released Monday by University of Illinois Springfield.
The Economic Outlook Survey also shows a 22 percent drop in expectations for the overall, local economy from the spring survey. More than 260 companies and not-for-profits were surveyed from Sept. 28 to Oct. 15.
* From the report…
Respondents were asked about the type of effect (large negative, small negative, neutral, small positive, or large positive) the state budget impasse is having on seven different aspects of their organization or firm: gross revenue/sales, profitability, on - hand cash, potential hiring, capital investment, total number of employees, and overall firm status. As seen in table 7, more than half of respondents report that the current state budget impasse is having a negative effect on their organization’s gross revenue/sales (53.8 percent) and profitability (51.0 percent). In addition, 46.1 percent of all employers in Sangamon County report that the state budget impasse is having a negative effect on the overall status of their firm.
When asked, “is there any other way that the budget impasse has impacted your firm,” respondents mainly speak about consumer confidence and uncertainty, the lack of funds they are receiving from the state government, and the stress it is putting on both employers and employees. Responses differ slightly between employers from different economic sectors.
For example, a private sector respondent stated th at : “Consumer confidence in t he economy is the largest problem for my firm. If the governor is able to accomplish [it] , then it might be better for Illinois’ in the long term. People are afraid that they are going to lose their job therefore they are not spending any money.”
Another respondent from the non-profit sector reported, “It has reduced our ability to serve children. It has increased the community’s need for support but decreased our ability to meet that need.”
Finally, a public sector respondent stated, the “impasse has stopped state employees from traveling to the capitol.”
The accompanying table…
Keep in mind that some of those interviews took place over a month ago, and things have gotten significantly worse since then.
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In a word: No
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kerry Lester…
Miss Pat Quinn yet? That’s the sign in the window of Greater Palatine Area Democrats as Illinois enters its fifth month without a budget.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Why there’s no link
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Finke…
A crowdfunding effort has been launched to raise the money needed to keep the 50-year tradition of stringing Christmas lights on the dome alive this year.
It was launched Thursday by Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the conservative Illinois Policy Institute.
“I put it up (Thursday) morning,” Rasmussen said. “It’s pretty simple. I’m a Springfield resident, and I really like Christmas. I like holiday cheer. I like Christmas lights. I like Christmas ornaments. I thought it would be nice for the community, if this is something they value, to help step up and privately fundraise for this.”
Secretary of State Jesse White’s office said this week that it would not be stringing the lights on the dome as a money-saving move. The office said it will save $7,300.
On the GoFundMe website, Rasmussen wrote: “Illinois is broke and state officials are wisely cutting back on non-essential spending. Let’s come together as a community to privately fund this annual tradition.”
* SJ-R editorial…
Homebound senior citizens are getting fewer nutritious meals delivered to their homes. Public health departments are cutting back on services. Doctors are being asked to treat state workers and their families without any expectation of getting paid anytime soon. Shelters for women fleeing domestic abuse are closing or cutting back. The list of effects of Illinois’ budget impasse goes on and on.
But talk about not decorating the Capitol dome for Christmas, and the public attention perks up […]
Friday’s newspaper had another story about a different fundraising effort. This one was about Megan Garcia, a Cantrall sixth-grader. Columnist Dave Bakke told the tale of how Megan, who’s 11, heard of a local family facing the crisis of having a 2-year-old diagnosed with a brain tumor, and decided to help. First, she asked for donations to the family in lieu of birthday presents. Then she organized a school fundraiser. At the end, she raised more than $3,000 to help the Ingram family. […]
If you’re fortunate enough to be able to help others in need — no matter how small the amount — this will be the year to contribute.
And that generosity toward the most vulnerable among us will light up the holidays far more than strands of bulbs hanging from a dome ever could.
Agreed and that’s why I didn’t link to Kristina’s GoFundMe page last week. I think it’s nice that she’s doing it, and I don’t oppose it at all, but I’m channeling my energy elsewhere this year.
By the way, I checked with the SoS office and they said they’ve told Rasmussen to forward the money directly to CWLP because they don’t have any appropriations authority.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the Christmas lights at the Capitol dome in Springfield will be able to shine throughout the holiday season due to a $7,300 electricity payment provided by the Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois.
“I commend the Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois for their generosity and holiday spirit,” said White. “Their payment of $7,300 to the local power company, City Water Light and Power, allows the state to continue the more than 50-year tradition of adorning the Capitol Dome with colorful and festive Christmas lights. I also want to thank the Operating Engineers’ Local 965, Laborers Local 477 and Carpenters Local 270, who make up the Crafts Council.”
The Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois submitted the check to the City of Springfield’s City Water Light and Power to defray the utility costs associated with powering the Christmas lights atop the Capitol dome during the holiday season.
The Secretary of State’s office had made the decision on Tuesday, November 3 to forgo putting up the Christmas lights on the Capitol Dome because the lights are nonessential and because the office is cutting costs in order to save money during the budget impasse. The office is committed to providing customer service and essential services to the public for as long as possible.
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* Subscribers know the back story on this press release…
Governor’s office spokesman Lance Trover released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 570:
“As a result of bipartisan discussions with legislators concerning the future of the Child Care Assistance Program, the Rauner administration today plans to amend the emergency rule it filed at the beginning of the fiscal year. Under the amended rule, income eligibility will rise to 162% of the federal poverty level while current co-pays will remain intact. Other eligibility and restrictions will also be lifted pending further review and legislative consultation. Additionally, the governor’s office will establish a bipartisan, bicameral task force aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the program.
“The governor’s office thanks the serious, good-faith negotiations by members of the legislature who made today’s announcement a reality. This bipartisan agreement will allow us to avoid the unintended consequences and costs that SB 570 would have brought. By working together, we will be able to bring financial stability to an important program valued by members of both parties.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D – Chicago Heights) released the following statement before her tour of the YWCA Kankakee Child Care Center to bring attention to the lack of child care funding:
“Every month that goes by without a budget hurts working families and children in ways that are immeasurable. Investing in child care is the responsible thing to do no matter which way you look at it, no matter which political party you belong to. I have been fighting for months to get more children into classrooms as soon as possible and give providers the stability they desperately need to make it through this crisis.
If Senate Bill 570 comes back to the Senate for a vote, I have agreed to hold it only as long as a the temporary rule is actually passed in the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on Nov. 17, giving thousands of providers and kids immediate relief. It’s past time for us to work together in every way we can every time we can. Our children deserve nothing less.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher…
“Now, at the 11th hour and ONLY AFTER bipartisan public outcry across Illinois over the pain and suffering caused by cuts that have kicked 70,000 kids off child care, Bruce Rauner comes to the table. His arbitrary actions, which should never have happened in the first place, show just why, deal or no deal, we still need Senate Bill 570 to pass tomorrow, to remove the ability for a governor, Democrat or Republican, to use unchecked executive power to destroy by rule those programs created by statute.
Since the governor apparently now realizes the needless pain caused by his actions, we call on him to expedite the rules returning children to the program instead of figuring out ways to use them as political pawns.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** From sponsoring Rep. Jehan Gordon…
Thousands of vulnerable children, parents and childcare centers have been affected by the devastating emergency rule that was enacted on July 1st. They all desperately need stability and certainly in these tumultuous times. It is my full intent to run SB 570 tomorrow afternoon in the House of Representatives. This legislation brings long term stability back to the Child Care Assistance Program. My primary focus and concern is that of children, families and childcare centers that need access to this vital work program now. We must pass SB 570 to statutorily make certain that our children are never put in this kind of limbo ever again.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Press release…
We applaud Governor Rauner’s decision today to suspend damaging emergency rule changes made to the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) on July 1, 2015. We also applaud our legislative champions in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly who refused to let children and families be anything but the highest priority in our state. Of course, we would also like to acknowledge the thousands of families and advocates statewide who continue to make sure the Governor and the General Assembly know just how important this issue is.
Key changes announced by the Governor today include:
• Increasing eligibility to 162 percent of Federal Poverty Level from 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Suspending child support requirements instituted on July 1, 2015.
• Suspending restrictive background checks for relative caregivers.
While this agreement is a good start, we recognize that there is significant work to be done in order to end the chaos that has been created in lieu of a state budget. We look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly on a state budget solution that includes sufficient revenue to fully fund all programs that low-income, hard-working families rely on.
Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois
Illinois Action for Children
Latino Policy Forum
Ounce of Prevention Fund
ReadyNation Illinois
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Voices for Illinois Children
*** UPDATE 5 *** From our pal Emily Miller…
Dear Rich,
The voices of children, families, and providers regarding the devastating impact of the Governor Rauner’s July 1st decision to cut child care in Illinois have been heard. Today, the governor and lawmakers announced a deal to immediately restore access to affordable child care to all families at or below 162% of the federal poverty level and to eliminate additional barriers put in place earlier this year.
The deal made by lawmakers and the governor means that, effective immediately, a single mom of two children entering the work force can access child care assistance in Illinois if she makes less than 162% of the federal poverty level, or $2,713 per month (roughly $15.50 per hour 40 hours per week.)
In addition, Governor Rauner has agreed that once a budget passes, eligibility for the child care program will return to the pre-cut level of 185% of the federal poverty level. That means a single mom of two who earns up to 185% of the federal poverty level, or $3,098 per month, will once again have access to child care assistance.
After 5 months of devastating cuts to child care, families and advocates are understandably wary of deals that might compromise Illinois’ commitment to ensuring families can remain self-sufficient by working.
That’s why, in addition to the changes announced today, Voices for Illinois Children believes it’s still important for lawmakers to take stand by voting yes on Senate Bill 570—a move that gives lawmakers and their constituents a means to ensure all parties to this deal remain accountable. A bipartisan ‘yes’ vote on SB570, and its passage in the House, will provide the much-needed and lasting proof that access to quality, affordable child care is a priority in this state.
If the governor and lawmakers continue to operate in good faith, as they have throughout the negotiation, the deal will move forward as planned. If they do not, the bill will be in a position to be placed on the Governor’s desk to eliminate the cuts for good.
Overall, the ability of governor and lawmakers to work alongside each other is encouraging in the context of the larger budget fight. Voices hopes this negotiation can serve as the framework for making further progress on the many issues impacting Illinois’ children and families.
We look forward to working with the governor and lawmakers to pass a budget with the revenue needed to fully fund vital programs for children and families.
Thanks for your hard work, and we’ll be in touch soon.
Emily Miller
Policy & Advocacy Director
Voices for Illinois Children
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Today’s quotables
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Peoria Journal Star…
Gov. Bruce Rauner made two stops last week during his visit to the Peoria area, including to visit a series of classes at Charter Oak Primary School.
Aside from kids demonstrating an impressive familiarity with government affairs — who among us knew as much about elective term lengths or the separation of powers in the fourth grade? — the youths asked Rauner some good questions.
One question in particular stuck out from the last group of them, a question on organization in government.
Rauner stressed the values of teamwork and of being able to work together with others. That includes working to “get a great team of people together and try to get things done.”
Given the state’s current budget drama, perhaps the working-together-with-others part of that plan needs some work?
* Chicago Tribune…
Speaking to a Chicago gathering of business students last month, Gov. Bruce Rauner related how a professional mentor long ago had instilled in him the importance of embracing the golden rule.
“Treat other people the way you’d like to be treated,” Rauner said. “Sounds simple. Sounds corny. Hard to do consistently, and it’s the key to success. It’s the key. Respecting other people.” […]
Each side insists it has the moral high ground in the dispute, which now has left Illinois without a spending plan almost halfway through the budget year. All of which may underscore another bit of career advice Rauner gave to those business students in October.
“Persistence, persistence, persistence,” he said.
* Keith Kelleher, president, SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana…
In private conversations, many Republicans have told us how pained they have been to be put in this position of voting against the most vulnerable people in their communities and against programs that actually benefit the economy, save taxpayer dollars and help people who often are their friends and neighbors and, in some cases, their flesh and blood.
Some of them have actually broken down in tears describing the threats and intimidation they’ve faced from Bruce Rauner and his allies, who themselves have made very clear they are willing to do or say anything they believe will help achieve their union-busting, non-budgetary goals.
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Today’s number: $700 million
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
Among the numerous financial headaches caused by Illinois’ budget mess is $700 million in construction projects that Gov. Bruce Rauner halted in the summer, and officials have no estimate of how much more they’ll need to dole out for stopping and, presumably, restarting them once there’s a spending agreement.
About a dozen construction sites will need to be protected from winter at a cost of about $2 million, officials said.
Rauner halted projects at universities, state parks, prisons and even Lincoln’s Tomb in the spring, eyeing a rapidly approaching start to the budget year and no agreed-upon fiscal plan. An Associated Press analysis of records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows when work stopped July 1, it affected 419 contracts affiliated with 218 job sites. Of those, 95 were under construction, said Lyndsey Walters, spokeswoman for the agency administering the work, the Capital Development Board. […]
“This has not been pleasant,” said Ric Krause, president of Chicago-area PATH Construction, whose company had to stop work on eight projects worth $26 million — less than half of which, according to records, has been paid. With that much work in the hopper, PATH has a number of staff members who are experts on the specific projects but now have no work to do.
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Our sorry state
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I doubt many Illinoisans know the words to our state song. Click here for the best version I’ve ever heard.
But the commenter known as “Fiercely Independent” came up with some alternate lyrics…
With the budget process slowing, Illinois, Illinois
And the unpaid bills a-growing, Illinois, Illinois
Where the Governor’s “one of us”
As he throws us ‘neath the bus
And the unions he must bust, Illinois, Illinois,
And the unions Bruce must bust, Illinois
* Meanwhile, somebody who goes by the online handle “warh201″ has a new rap song about the impasse. Click here.
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Money talks
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago collected more than $765,000 for three campaign funds, much of it from labor unions that are allied with Democrats during the state budget impasse against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The pattern of giving shows how campaign contribution limits in Illinois can be worked around. The construction and general laborers’ political fund gave at total of $136,700 — the maximum $53,900 to Cullerton’s state central committeeman fund and Cullerton’s Senate fund and $28,900 to the Senate Democratic fund. An operating engineers’ fund gave $158,700 — the maximum $53,900 to Cullerton’s state central committeeman and Senate Democratic funds, plus $50,900 to his Senate account. All told, that’s nearly 40 percent of the haul Cullerton reported receiving Friday.
* Tribune…
State Rep. John Bradley of Marion reported nearly $100,000 in campaign contributions, including the maximum $53,900 the Laborers’ D.C.-based fund has been given to numerous potential Republican targets next year as well as political funds controlled by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.
But, yeah, they’re gonna fold any day now and fully buy in to the Turnaround Agenda.
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High hopes
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Republican House candidate Jacob Bramel officially kicked off his legislative campaign over the weekend…
He called House Speaker Mike Madigan “a tyrant and a dictator” who has oppressed the people of the state for more than 40 years. […]
“As your state representative, I will take us out of the dark ages of liberalism and fast forward us into a conservative revolution because the government should not tell you how to run your business, what job you can have, what school you can go to, how to raise your family, or punish you for being successful.
“I want a government so small that you can barely see it.” […]
Without giving exact detail, Bramel promised to “repeal outdated legislation — legislation that hinders our everyday lives in favor of our own self-determination.” He also said pension reform would be high on list to fix while fulfilling promises already made.
Bramel faces HGOP-backed Jerry Long, who describes himself as a “constitutional conservative,” in the primary and then will most probably run against Democratic LaSalle County Circuit Clerk Andrew Skoog in the general. The district is represented by retiring Rep. Frank Mautino.
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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The concept of a public meeting on November 18th by the four legislative leaders and the governor sounds nice, but will it actually move the ball forward and break the months-long governmental impasse?
As you probably know, a group of good government types recently called on the state’s leaders to sit down and talk about solving the state’s budget issues. The four tops and the governor haven’t met as a group since late May.
House Speaker Michael Madigan quickly accepted and then suggested that the meeting be held in public. The move has quite a few people scratching their heads because nobody expects anything will be solved while the public is looking on.
So, why bother?
A big reason is that the Democrats want the public to see what they’ve been seeing with their own eyes for months. The governor walks in, they say, exchanges pleasantries, then repeats the same basic talking points that he’s been making since April.
Top Democratic sources say that Rauner cannot talk in detail about much of his Turnaround Agenda. They’ve asked relatively uncomplicated questions about tort reform, for example, and claim they’ve been met with empty stares.
“They can prep [Rauner] on the budget for the next month and it won’t do any good,” fretted a top Republican shortly after Madigan suggested a public meeting.
It’s not that the governor isn’t bright. He is a very smart man. It’s just that he has never been a detail guy. And a big part of the problem with these negotiations is that many of the topics are nothing but details. Even the far more experienced Madigan might be able to delve down only a couple of levels into the workers’ comp issue, but he doesn’t have the expertise to go much deeper than that, Democrats admit.
What they need to do is set up some expert committees and let them deal with the details. But the experts can’t do that until the tops give them some sort of direction, and everybody is just floundering right now.
Anyway, back to the upcoming meeting.
Gov. Rauner did his level best the other day to once again tamp down expectations ahead of the meeting. “I don’t think it’s going to matter much,” the governor said, noting correctly that people don’t like to compromise in front of cameras.
Rauner and his legislative allies have been insisting that the governor be allowed to set the agenda, which has some of the good government reformers who initially proposed the sit-down worried that Gov. Rauner would attempt to highjack the meeting and insist on talking only about his “Turnaround Agenda,” which he wants resolved before he will negotiate the budget. The agenda includes some harshly anti-union proposals on collective bargaining, as well as some unacceptable (to Democrats and unions) changes in the workers’ compensation program and things like term limits and redistricting reform.
But the governor also said something last week which went almost completely unnoticed. The governor told reporters that he was planning a “comprehensive agenda” for the meeting.
“We will include structural reform in the agenda,” Rauner said (predictably, since that’s code for his Turnaround stuff), and then said, “We will include revenue and taxes on the agenda, we’ll include spending levels on the agenda.”
The idea may be to put the Democrats on the spot and finally make them talk about what taxes they want to raise.
House Speaker Michael Madigan reiterated his support for new revenues recently in Chicago. “The number one problem facing the government of the State of Illinois is the state budget deficit,” he said for the millionth time, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “Which means that we have to get together to talk, negotiate, do some cuts and do some new revenue. There should be a balanced approach.”
Madigan, however, has never specifically said what “new revenue” he would actually back, and neither has his fellow Democrat Senate President John Cullerton. The governor’s people have been quietly pointing out this glaring omission for the past several days.
The governor told top Democrats during a private meeting months ago that he would be willing to raise the income tax to 4.75 percent, which is a percentage point higher than its current level, if he got what he wanted on the Turnaround Agenda. The Democrats have not yet accepted that proposal and have apparently been waiting for the governor to make his offer public.
I doubt anything gets done, but it might be fun to watch.
* Related…
* Erickson: Rauner, lawmakers should meet during session
* Finke: At least they’re not arguing about the table
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* The little town of Marshall (population 3,933), is shutting off services to some state facilities…
At 1 p.m. — unless the state intervenes — the toilets will stop flushing at the Cumberland Road Rest Area along Interstate 70.
The lights will go out at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s highway garage in Marshall. And IDOT’s local office building will lose electricity, water, sewer and gas services.
* The town is owed almost $500,000, which is a lot of money to such a small community. But the mayor is also quite upset about the impact of the impasse…
For Marshall, the ramifications go beyond the outstanding utility bills. [Mayor Camie Sanders] said talks between the city and a company interested in relocating to the community fell through, because the corporation won’t invest in Illinois until the impasse is resolved.
Ugh.
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Concurrence, with reservations
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I agree with much of this Tribune editorial…
The solution to CPS’ crisis is the same as the solution to the state’s budget crisis: a deal among Madigan, Cullerton, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the man who would sign it into law: Gov. Bruce Rauner. What should be on the table? Deeper central-office spending cuts at CPS. The closing of half-empty schools. Teachers should agree to pay their share of pension contributions, so CPS no longer has to pay its share and most of the teachers’ share.
Rauner has offered to help. If the state is to somehow come up with more money for CPS, or extend the terrible practice of delaying pension contributions, Chicago Democrats have to start making concessions on his political and economic reform agenda. He’s determined to reduce the structural costs of government and boost the economic climate in this state. Rauner is ready to deal.
But he’s not ready to cave. On Monday, Rauner reminded Democrats that “misguided state policies” caused CPS’ plight. These are policies they championed, policies for which they voted.
Does that sound like a governor about to crack because Democrats in Chicago and Springfield refuse to cut a deal with him? We don’t think so either.
Democrats have to deal with Rauner. They have to — eek! — compromise with him if they hope state taxpayers will rescue CPS.
You want something? Give something. If you don’t like what the governor is offering, make another suggestion.
The Democrats do need to start making some politically doable counter proposals rather than just allowing the governor to constantly negotiate against himself. It’s the only way we’re ever going to find out if Gov. Rauner really does want to make a deal, as the Tribune believes, or whether, as many Democrats believe, he’s only interested in busting unions.
* On the other hand, the Democrats are right to be wary of what could happen to them if they start negotiating before the candidate filing period concludes at the end of this month. They could wind up with primary opponents and a union base that’s so angry at them for caving that they wouldn’t be able to adequately defend themselves.
I also highly doubt that very many legislators of either party would be willing to agree to a tax hike before that filing period ends - and make no mistake, a tax hike is almost assuredly at the end of this ugly highway.
We’re gonna be stuck in the muck for a while longer, campers.
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* Expect numerous updates to this press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto today of House Bill 2482.
Similar to Senate Bill 570, the proposed legislation concerning the Child Care Assistance Program, HB 2482 would have unintended consequences that would negatively impact the state’s long-term ability to serve individuals in need.
“These bills may be well-intentioned, but they are ultimately harmful to the programs they are trying to help,” Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said. “The governor understands and shares the frustration of members who want to fund these programs, but the appropriate way to do so is in the context of a truly balanced budget. As drafted, both pieces of legislation would create serious problems that jeopardize the future of the Child Care Assistance Program as well as services for the elderly.”
House Bill 2482 would lock into statute that an individual who qualifies for assistance is entitled to institutional care. Additionally, the approach contemplated by this legislation puts the state’s compliance with Medicaid waiver regulations and ability to maximize federal match funds at serious risk.
As noted in the governor’s veto message House Bill 2482 “takes a step in the wrong direction… For too long, Illinois has over-prescribed institutional care to lower-need individuals when less expensive and more appropriate care options are available. In order to provide the best particular care for each individual, to ensure that our support services remain affordable, and to maximize the number of individuals served, we must rebalance the services being provided with greater precision. Prescribing institutional care for individuals who do not need it is wrong for the individual and wrong for taxpayers. Moreover, over-prescribing institutional care is inconsistent with the direction being taken across the country.”
Bill No.: HB 2482
An Act Concerning Public Aid
Action: Amendatory Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
Veto Message
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
99th General Assembly:
Today I return House Bill 2482 with specific recommendations for change.
The State of Illinois provides important support services to elderly and disabled individuals through the Community Care Program, the Home Services Program, and State-funded nursing care. At a time when the State is struggling to afford its past promises, we have an obligation to make the economic and government reforms needed to continue providing these services to the neediest among us.
Unfortunately, while well-intentioned, House Bill 2482 takes a step in the wrong direction. The bill would lock into statute that an individual with a particular threshold score on the Determination of Need (DON) assessment tool would be eligible for both institutional and home and community-based long term care services. Instead, an individual with the threshold score should be entitled to institutional or home and community-based care. Retaining flexibility to determine whether an individual is eligible for institutional or home and community-based care – as opposed to both – will ensure that the State is compliant with Medicaid waiver regulations and protocols and maximize federal matching funds.
For too long, Illinois has over-prescribed institutional care to lower-need individuals when less expensive and more appropriate care options are available. In order to provide the best particular care for each individual, to ensure that our support services remain affordable, and to maximize the number of individuals served, we must rebalance the services being provided with greater precision. Prescribing institutional care for individuals who do not need it is wrong for the individual and wrong for taxpayers. Moreover, over-prescribing institutional care is inconsistent with the direction being taken across the country.
Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 2482, entitled “AN ACT concerning public aid”, with the following specific recommendations for change:
On page 10, line 17, by replacing “institutional and” with “institutional or”; and
On page 21, line 5, by replacing “institutional and” with “institutional or”; and
On page 50, line 21, by replacing “institutional and” with “institutional or”; and
On page 55, line 17, by replacing “institutional and” with “institutional or”.
With these changes, House Bill 2482 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
…Adding… The bill received 74 votes in the House, including Republicans Batinick, Bryant, Hammond, Jesiel, McAuliffe and Unes.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rep. Batinick just said that in his opinion, an amendatory veto is better than a total veto, but he won’t make a decision until he talks with supporters about how far-reaching Rauner’s change of “and” to “or” will be.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Chief House sponsor Rep. Greg Harris via text…
The Rules Committee will first have to determine if the Amendatory Veto is compliant with constitutional requirements. I will carefully review the language to see if the changes protect the needs of all of our seniors and persons with disabilities in community based, supportive living, nursing homes and other care settings. It is critically important that fragile and vulnerable people are not put at risk.
*** UPDATE 3 *** From Denise Gaines, legislative director, SEIU Healthcare Illinois…
“Bruce Rauner’s own history of abuse and neglect when it comes to nursing homes under his control should strike fear in the hearts of anyone affected by these changes, which ultimately limit choice for Illinois seniors and preserve Rauner’s own power to arbitrarily kick people off the program.
“Once again, Rauner is taking vulnerable Illinoisans hostage in pursuit of his extreme, non-budgetary political agenda. Today, it’s nursing home residents. This amendatory veto is unacceptable and we call on legislators to override it when they convene on Nov. 10th.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Sen. Daniel Biss via text…
HB2482, which passed with strong support in both chambers, is provided needed protections to seniors and people with disabilities. While we are still reviewing Governor Rauner’s language, I will be watching closely to ensure that we protect the ability of those who most need long term care to choose the most appropriate services.
…Adding More… So, here is what the original bill said…
Individuals with a score of 29 or higher based on the determination of need (DON) assessment tool shall be eligible to receive institutional and home and community-based long term care services until such time that the State receives federal approval and implements an updated assessment tool.
So, under this AV, people would be eligible to receive institutional or home and community-based long term care services.
The trouble is, lots of seniors bounce around between those services. They’re receiving home care, they fall and break their hip, they go to the hospital and are released to a nursing home, then they eventually head back home.
How can you make this a purely “or” situation? Do they have to reapply? Do they just get one and not the other?
I have a call into the governor’s office to explain this. I’ll let you know what they’re saying.
*** UPDATE 5 *** So, according to the governor’s office, the example I used above wouldn’t be covered by their AV. This is for permanent care, not temporary bouncing around, I’m told. They also claim to have the support of several advocates for home and community-based care, which might explain the muted response so far from Democrats.
*** UPDATE 6 *** From the Health Care Council of Illinois (nursing home lobby)…
Governor Rauner’s Amendatory Veto of House Bill 2482 eliminates medical care for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens. Rauner’s view of the future of long term care for people who cannot dress themselves or manage their own medication is to keep them isolated in an apartment with assistance of a part-time housekeeper.
Rauner’s amendatory veto strips away 24-hour skilled medical care and replaces it with a few hours a week of housekeeping chores. This move is strictly about money and politics, and not about the care needs of elderly people. With one pen stroke, elderly people and their families lost the right to choose the best health care setting based on their individual health care needs and family circumstances.
The Health Care Council of Illinois calls on members of the General Assembly to override this Amendatory Veto and uphold dignified medical care for our most vulnerable citizens.
Pat Comstock
Executive Director
Health Care Council of Illinois
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Our childish, cartoon world
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* David Rutter…
(T)he original “GI Joe” was manufactured, a Faux Joe character designed to sell comic books and toys.
He was never real.
And neither was Joe Gliniewicz.
Too much about our society isn’t real. Our public discourse is too often based on way too little information and way too much ideology, all intensified by our too-quick reactions in an age when everybody has access to their own online megaphones.
Many of us in this Statehouse business got a close look at how this works when Barack Obama ran for President. He was quickly turned into a cartoon character that few of us recognized. Hero or villain, that just wasn’t the person we knew.
Cartoon versions of reality abound. Just read any newspaper comment section for two minutes (or more than a few newspaper opinion pages), or browse your Facebook feed. It’s not only disappointing, but downright dangerous that so many people choose to live in their own black and white fantasy worlds and forcefully believe that everyone else should, too.
* Greg Tejeda…
Now I’m not about to tag “crooked cop” all over Gliniewicz’s name. Personally, I think anybody who is obsessed with doing so is missing the point. They’re definitely wasting their time.
Although I do find some contempt for those people who got all bent out of shape by those who initially challenged the image of a “heroic cop” for Gliniewicz. Those were the people so eager to constantly deify police officers that they can’t accept the reality I came to a long time ago when it came to my dealings as a reporter-type person with law enforcement officials.
They’re human beings! Just like everybody else.
We are, indeed, all just human beings. We’re all a little different and strange in our own dark little corners. Even so, most of us try to do good things. For all his many faults, Gliniewicz was locally beloved for his good works before he killed himself because of his bad works.
Human beings are not gods. We shouldn’t declare our “faith” in them. We should recognize that, once we’ve grown into adulthood, everybody will occasionally disappoint, some much more than others. It’s simply the reality of being an adult and part of the oftentimes puzzling beauty of living on this planet.
/rant
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All over the place
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP at 8:09 am on October 30th…
A spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner says Illinois environmental officials are working to abide by new federal power plant limits that are being challenged by more than two dozen other states.
Rauner responded cautiously after the early August unveiling of President Barack Obama’s much-anticipated Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from domestic power plants.
Spokeswoman Catherine Kelly tells The Associated Press the Illinois EPA “is still reviewing the rule and determining potential compliance pathways.”
* Greg Hinz on October 30th…
After months of holding fire, Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Rep. Tammy Duckworth is ripping GOP incumbent Mark Kirk on what has been one of his traditional strengths in this left-leaning state: the environment.
In a statement, Duckworth spokesman Matt McGrath accused the incumbent of “gestures (that) do not get emptier than this” and charged Kirk with trying to kill a needed clean-power plan.
But Team Kirk suggested Duckworth is trying to curry favor with green groups that are helping finance her campaign and described the senator as an “aggressive” advocate of cleaning up the Great Lakes.
At issue is Kirk’s decision earlier in the week to formally oppose the limits on power plants proposed by President Barack Obama. The president says the limits are needed to curb greenhouse gases and carbon pollution, but conservatives say there would be a big economic cost, with Kirk citing the potential impact on Illinois’ coal industry.
* AP at 1:07 pm on October 30th…
A spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner says Illinois officials are still reviewing their options regarding federal power plant limits being challenged by more than two dozen other states.
Rauner responded cautiously after the August unveiling of President Barack Obama’s much-anticipated Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from domestic power plants.
Spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says the Illinois EPA “is still reviewing the rule and determining potential compliance pathways.”
The governor’s office says the AP made a mistake with its original report and the second story is the accurate one. An AP employee didn’t respond to an e-mail asking for clarification, but the quote remained the same, so I’m betting it was an error. Either way, the governor can take action without legislative authority here and he is one of just a tiny number of governors who won’t say where they stand.
* Hinz on November 4th…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today joined attorneys general from 17 other states in seeking to intervene in a case pending before a U.S. Court of Appeals that could block proposed anti-carbon pollution rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The rules have been bitterly attacked as an over-reach by much of the power industry, with attorneys general from other states moving to overturn them in court.
* The usually staunchly pro-coal Southern Illinoisan on October 31st…
Thumbs up to the Rauner administration for its willingness to comply with new Environmental Protection Agency clean air standards.
More than two dozen states are suing the federal agency, looking to upend the limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Illinois, however, is researching ways to comply, according to Rauner’s staff.
Climate change is real. And policies such as the EPA’s are an appropriate response.
* Kurt Erickson today…
Lawmakers who represent Illinois coal country are bristling at Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s decision to support the Obama administration’s new clean energy rules.
With the rules expected to impact coal production and coal-burning power plants, members of the Illinois House and Senate say jobs in their downstate districts could be lost if the administration beats back a challenge from states that oppose the regulations.
“It does strike a chord with me. I don’t appreciate that,” state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said Thursday. “I want Lisa Madigan to be attorney general for the whole state. We are one big state. We cannot live without these coal jobs.”
Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in coal production, with nearly 5,000 miners earning an average salary of about $85,000 per year. The number of miners has been reduced by more than half over the past 20 years because of increased regulation and mechanization.
Phelps represents Saline County, one of the top coal producing counties in Illinois.
* Meanwhile, in a seemingly unrelated development…
Dynegy says it’s closing its Wood River [coal-fired] Power Station in southern Illinois because of economic reasons.
The company said in a news release Wednesday it’s closing the 465-megawatt facility in Alton because of its “uneconomic operation” in a “poorly designed wholesale capacity market” in central and southern Illinois. That system, the company said, doesn’t allow generators to recover costs.
The facility has to compete in capacity auctions, Dynegy said, with plants in other states with regulated markets and higher guaranteed compensation.
“Mixing these two regulatory regimes together in the same capacity auction puts all generating units in central and southern Illinois at financial risk regardless of fuel type, shifting jobs and the economic benefits of hosting generating plants from central and southern Illinois to neighboring states,” Dynegy said.
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Paper makes exception to its impasse support
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Southern Illinoisan’s editorial board appears to be having an identity crisis.
This is from an October 30th editorial blasting former Gov. Jim Edgar for publicly advising Gov. Bruce Rauner to focus on a “doable” solution to the impasse…
But Illinois can’t continue running up massive debts and spending billions more than it brings in. Taxpayers need relief. Union power must be brought under control. Widespread inefficiency throughout state government must be streamlined.
Reimagining what’s “doable” will cause strife throughout Illinois in the short term. Any paradigm shift causes a tremor or two.
Edgar’s shot at his fellow Republican shows, yet again, just how pervasive the dogma that brought Illinois to its knees is within the old guard.
Rauner has no choice but ignore what Edgar considers “doable.” He’s instead operating with “what must be done.”
* Fast-forward to today and they’re no longer all-in on the impasse. They want local Republican state Rep. Terri Bryant to vote for the child care funding bill, regardless of the impact on the state’s fiscal position…
We’ve supported much of Rauner’s controversial “Turn Around Agenda.” Worker’s Compensation Insurance is too costly to businesses in Illinois. A freeze on property taxes would force constantly expanding local governments to right-size. But Rauner’s CCAP cuts, essentially locking out 90 percent of would-be participants, would drive single mothers out of the workforce. It would expand the welfare rolls. It would, ultimately, cost Illinois more than it saves. […]
(W)hen asked Thursday whether she’ll support the bill already approved by the Senate, Bryant tap-danced around an answer.
“If the state doesn’t have the money, how genuine is it to cast a vote to fund it?” Bryant queried, leaving us with the sense that she’s leaning against the Democratic legislation. […]
Growing pains are required. Illinois cannot continue to trod on as it has for decades, amassing debt and pumping cash into a failing pension system. We get it, governor.
But gutting CCAP is a master class in counterproductivity. Terri Bryant should do all she can to assure Illinois’s women get a fair shake.
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* From the Daily Chronicle…
There are approximately 490 nonprofit organizations in DeKalb County, according to information Dawn Littlefield, executive director of Kishwaukee United Way, presented. Not only do some of them provide social services or other aid to thousands of residents, collectively, they employ about 7,000 people.
But Littlefield said many agencies are in financial distress. Her parent agency, United Way, reports that more than 60 percent of the county’s nonprofit organizations, which do such things as provide services to working families and battered women, aid seniors in independent living, and serve as resources for low-income individuals and families, have enough cash to last no more than three months. Another 20 percent have less than a month’s cash on hand. Program, service and staff cuts have been made at nearly half of the service agencies and at least 1 in 8 have closed programs altogether.
“I can’t stand here and say to you tonight that Safe Passage is going to be able to go on after January or February,” said Mary Ellen Schaid, executive director of the domestic and sexual abuse advocacy organization.
* From the Telegraph…
Francis Gonzales, an Alton senior, said he relies on SSP’s Meals on Wheels programs to deliver hot meals to his home. Since the budget impasse, SSP has had to cut drivers from the program and drop the meal deliveries from five days a week to only two. The organization currently serves 630 seniors in 22 townships and has a waiting list of 110 people.
…Adding… McDonough County Voice…
Delays in Medicaid payments due to the state budget impasse are negatively impacting access to mental health services, said Kenny Boyd, president and CEO of the McDonough District Hospital. Boyd said North Central Behavioral Health services in Macomb has had to cut back to “bare bones” due to Medicaid payment delays, so MDH is experiencing a large influx of new patients. The hospital has had 100 new clients apply for its Behavioral Health Services this month, and cannot take new ones for at least another month. He said the behavioral health unit is struggling to even handle its emergency services.
Boyd said MDH has worked with Macomb Police Chief Curt Barker and Sheriff Rick Van Brooker for the past six to eight months to try to manage an increasing number of people with mental health issues getting jailed. Boyd said the Medicaid payment problems have caused patients who need services to “ping-pong” between the mental health system, jail and the community.
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The McCarter plot thickens
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Uh-oh…
In the months leading up to his announcement that he’s seeking a congressional seat, state Sen. Kyle McCarter spent more than $33,000 from his state campaign fund on a political consultant.
He used that state account to pay the consultant even though he wouldn’t be facing re-election as a state senator until 2016.
That same consultant — Elizabeth Van Holt, owner of Isaiah Consulting in Downers Grove — showed up with McCarter when he announced his congressional candidacy on Oct. 7 in Highland.
Here’s the rub: Money from a state campaign fund isn’t supposed to be used for a federal campaign. […]
“This is an attempt by those opposing me to make something of nothing,” said McCarter, a Republican from Lebanon. “If there was anything wrong, I wouldn’t have done it. This was an eight-month contract that I had with Isaiah, and it pertained to my position in the state.”
He’s challenging an incumbent (John Shimkus) in a primary, so things are gonna get brutal. And he doesn’t have a whole lot of friends in Illinois politics, so it’s not like allies will be streaming to his side.
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Illinois’ “most unusual” ancestry
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I know quite a lot of Assyrians, so this popped out at me…
Based on Census data, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of state residents who identify as one of 158 different ethnicities — the most common answers to the ancestry question. Survey respondents were not given a list of options. The largest percentage relative to the comparable national proportion is a state’s most unusual ancestry.
A state’s most unusual ethnic group is not necessarily the state’s largest demographic. In fact, the most unique heritage group in only three states made up more than 10% of that state’s population. In every other case, members of the most unusually concentrated demography accounted for less than 1% of state residents. However, that demographic accounts for an even — and often much smaller — share of the U.S. population. […]
Illinois
Most unique ancestry: Assyrian
> Percentage of state residents identifying as Assyrian: 0.1%
> Share of U.S. Assyrian population living in state: 27.8%
Although just 0.1% of Illinois residents identify as Assyrian, it is 10 times the 0.01% of Americans who do, making Assyrian the most unique heritage in the state. America is home to just 38,626 Assyrians, and 27.8% of them live in Illinois. Assyrian immigrants came to the United States in two large waves — the first concurrent with start of World War I and the second with turmoil in the Middle East during the 1970s. Assyrian refugees relocated mostly to Chicago, Detroit, and Northern California, where some Assyrian American settlers and sojourners had established communities before WWI. Today, Chicago is home to the largest Assyrian population in the country, and the second largest in the world after Iraq. Illinois is also home to high relative concentrations of residents with Luxemburger, Palestinian, and Jordanian ancestry.
I had no idea we had a lot of Luxemburgers here.
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Today’s number: $2.05 billion
Friday, Nov 6, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* COGFA…
As Illinois continues operations without an enacted budget, the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) has built up significant claims to be paid out.
As of the end of October, approximately $2.05 billion in claims are being held by the state from various insurers, organizations, and companies.
Of this total, the largest portion is approximately $1.08 billion of Managed Care claims. The second largest line, Prescription, OAP, and Mental Health claims, totals $598 million. The third largest portion of the overall claims hold comes from CIGNA, which has $291 million in claims currently held by the state. Concurrently, the estimated time for claims to be held is 360 days for Managed Care, 293 days for CIGNA, and 271-357 days for Prescriptions/OAPs/Mental Health.
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* Liz Goodwin…
I had been talking to Alexander Nix, the CEO of the data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, for only a few minutes before he noticed my leopard-print shoes, and complimented them.
“I’ll put it in your personality file,” Nix joked.
“Does this mean you can already predict my personality?” I asked warily.
“Oh, yes,” Nix said, brushing imaginary dust off his slacks. “We’ve modeled every personality of every voter in the United States.”
If one were to try to imagine the person who claims to know every single American personality, one would probably not think of Nix, an Eton-educated Englishman in a tweed coat who speaks in fluid, grammatically correct paragraphs of his company’s microtargeting strategy. But presidential candidates from Sen. Ted Cruz to Ben Carson are turning to Nix’s massive database and algorithm so they can reach voters likely to support them with specific messages tailored not to their age, race or gender — but to their fundamental natures.
Go read the rest.
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