Mo’ money for Shearer PAC
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Steve Shearer’s anti-Bruce Rauner Republican Fund for Progress and Jobs PAC took in $485K today from labor unions. Expect more to come. I told subscribers about this earlier today.
60 Comments  
|
|
Comments Off
|
Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From an article posted on LegalUSPokerSites.com…
John Cullerton, the president of the Illinois State Senate, announced his support for legalized online gambling in his state. The senator said he expects “stiff opposition” to his proposal, but the state could expect a 9-figure windfall in additional revenues if pro-gambling legislation was passed.
The Poker Players Alliance has estimated Illinois would make nearly $200 million a year if it licensed, regulated, and taxed online poker sites. Over the past two years, three other U.S. states have legalized online casinos and card rooms, and these states are already receiving additional revenue from the gaming activity.
Cullerton says the need to protect Illinois’s land-based casinos is going to be a complicating factor in any legalization process. Several factors are leading to Illinois lawmakers trying to find new ways to collect funds. With the state’s tax base increasingly impatient with new taxes, Cullerton believes the state’s leaders need to discuss all possibilities–including tapping the online gambling market. […]
When asked to address moral complaints on the ethics of approving online gaming with state laws, Cullerton added, “The point is people are already gambling, and we’re not making any of the money. There are other states that are just getting started that are bringing in some money. So that may play a role in it when we try to pass a budget.” […]
Still, Cullerton believes the greatest opposition will not come from the problem gambling groups and others against gambling on moral grounds. He believes the state’s already-entrenched gambling interests could line up against the plan. If so, they might pour significant amounts of money into swaying public opinion, lobbying state lawmakers, and defeating any bill put before the legislature. Such efforts have met with success in other states, and can be certain to tap a certain segment of the population which is anti-gambling.
One factor in the favor of Cullerton and his allies is the framework state-backed online gambling has taken in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, the other states which have approved online poker. In those states, not everyone can collect a license and start accepting licensed and regulated players. The pre-existing gambling establishments are given the right to secure a license for online gambling websites, so the established gaming operations stand to gain from the venture.
* The Question: Should Illinois legalize onlne gambling? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys & polls
122 Comments
|
Bills, bills and more bills
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I doubt this’ll pass any time soon, but we’ll see…
Despite warnings that more than $2.3 billion must be cut from next year’s state budget, the largest state employee union is renewing its call for money to be set aside to pay back wages owed to union workers.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is again calling on lawmakers to approve one of the bills pending that would allocate $112 million to pay the wages owed to workers from as far back as 2011.
AFSCME has begun calculating how much is owed to workers in various parts of the state based on the number of workers in legislative districts. In the Springfield area, AFSCME says more than $17 million is owed to about 4,600 unionized state workers who did not get raises owed to them under previous union contracts.
“They do their jobs every day,” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said in a statement. “It’s illegal and wrong to withhold wages for work performed.”
* Meanwhile, Exelon’s recent Statehouse maneuvering is more than a bit sketchy. They are worried that municipal aggregation, low natural gas prices and late night wind turbines (which are driving down rates to almost zero) are badly hurting their nuclear power plants’ ability to compete. But they won’t just come out and say what, exactly, they want to do about it…
State lawmakers say shutting the Byron station down would be a major loss.
“It would be a significant negative impact both in jobs and funding for community services, for school districts, many of the services that Byron area residents have come to rely on.” -says 90th District State Representative Tom Demmer.
Exelon representatives say they are in constant contact with state lawmakers, but the company is only making legislators aware of hardships.
“We haven’t asked any officials from Illinois to do anything regarding current market conditions. Right now we’ll just continue to operate safely here at Byron and see what the next few years brings for us.” -Dempsey says.
* They have floated some ideas, however…
Crain’s reported that Exelon lobbyists have floated the idea of a clean energy standard or credit that would provide extra payments for the plants. A company statement, though, denied it has asked for legislation that would change market conditions and did not provide further details on potential plant closures.
But do they also want to give wind turbines a bigger break? Doubtful.
* Seems like a dose of overdue common sense…
The Illinois Senate has advanced legislation making it a crime for 911 dispatchers to tip off criminals when law enforcement is nearby. […]
State Sen. Dave Koehler is the bill’s sponsor. He says the legislation is necessary because in 2010 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled nothing in Illinois law made it illegal for a dispatcher to alert a drug dealer that police were in the area. […]
In 1998 a dispatcher in the Chicago suburbs was convicted of official misconduct after she tipped off a local drug dealer that police were near his house. The dispatcher appealed.
* This is a polite way of saying the bill is deader than a rock on a stump…
Illinois lawmakers have mixed thoughts on a proposal that would allow communities around the state to install speed cameras, which are only allowed in Chicago.
The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the measure by Collinsville Democrat Rep. Jay Hoffman is generating discussion among legislators.
Murphysboro Republican Rep. Mike Bost calls the devices a “cop-in-a-box,” and says his constituents think they harass drivers.
* Passing a committee does not mean it’ll become law. Just sayin…
A bill that would make smoking in a car with a minor present a petty offense is one step closer to becoming law.
The Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday voted 5-2 to send SB2659 to the full Senate. If passed, motorists found in violation of the law would have to pay fines of $100.
“There are very serious health effects associated with exposure to second-hand smoke, especially for minors. This plan is aimed at reducing that exposure,” Chicago Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein, the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement Tuesday.
According to a provision in the bill, police officers who notice someone smoking in a vehicle with a minor in it cannot stop that vehicle solely for that reason, drawing criticism from some committee members during a hearing last month.
Occupants of motorcycles and convertibles with their tops down would be exempt. Illinois would become the sixth state to have such a law. Arkansas, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon and Utah have enacted similar legislation, and another 14 states are considering measures.
* Not a bad idea…
Those who wait to renew their registration through CyberService or the mail until the last days leading up to the expiration of their current registration will now be provided a way to avoid being issued a ticket for driving that vehicle if the sticker doesn’t arrive in time.
“There should be no more worrying about the possibility of being forced to drive illegally without an up-to-date sticker,” said Van Pelt. “Now all you need is a receipt from the Secretary of State while you wait.”
The legislation provides that this new printed receipt proof of registration is only valid for 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker’s date, giving Illinoisans plenty of time to receive and attach the registration stickers. Senator Van Pelt hopes to avoid future instances of responsible drivers being punished because of the length of time it takes to acquire a current sticker.
* From a press release…
State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is holding a press conference to discuss Senate Bill 3138, a measure that would allow Illinois to opt into the Do Not Adopt Registry administered by Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The registry aims to protect animals from being adopted by convicted animal abusers by providing shelters, stores and organizations with access to a nationwide searchable database.
Sen. Rezin will be joined by Chris Green, Director of Legislative Affairs with ALDF; Jason Helland, Grundy County State’s Attorney; and other guests.
I didn’t know such a registry existed. Interesting.
* Other stuff…
* Kadner: The south suburban casino lottery: Local mayors can’t get together on a single site for a gambling casino in the south suburbs, and there also seems to be wide disagreement on a revenue-sharing plan if a casino eventually is built.
* Committee to hold hearings on raising Illinois minimum wage to $10.65: The first hearing is 2 p.m. Wednesday in Room 413 of the Stratton Office Building in Springfield. Hoffman said it will be the first of several public hearings on the issue. “These hearings are opportunities for folks on all sides of the debate to engage the legislature, and help impact our decisions if a minimum wage bill is called for a vote,” Hoffman said.
* Proposed Legislation Asks State To Study Interest-Free College Loans
* Bill to support levee fix advancing
* Illinois House panel passes Poison Center bill
15 Comments
|
Oh, it’s on
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I caught more than a little good-natured grief while I was out on the town last night regarding my admittedly non-plungy Polar Plunge.
And today, Sen. Bill Cunningham rubs it in…
Whatever, dude.
* Our page was in the top fifteen of all 2,466 Special Olympics Chicago fundraisers. I searched for “Cunningham” and didn’t find any results.
So, top that, Senator.
…Adding… How about we do a caption contest on that second Cunningham photo? I’ll donate $100 to Special Olympics Chicago in the name of the funniest commenter. And I’ll shame Sen. Cunningham into at least matching it.
Heh.
…Adding More… Always a good sport, Sen. Cunningham says he’ll donate $200 in the name of today’s winner. Thanks!
73 Comments
|
They’re gonna need all the help they can get
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Newspaper endorsements aren’t truly effective until a candidate uses them in a mailer or TV ad. And since Rep. Ron Sandack is fighting for his political life against a hardcore, well-funded conservative, and Rep. Ed Sullivan is having more trouble than expected with his conservative primary opponent, this Tribune nod is probably not something they’ll be touting to GOP primary voters in its entirety…
Only three Republicans in the Illinois House supported same-sex marriage when it was approved last year. Two of those Republicans face primary challenges, largely because of that vote. They are Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove and Rep. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein.
Their votes caught many same-sex marriage opponents by surprise. Sandack and Sullivan voted in 2010 against legislation that allowed civil unions, a far less-sweeping change in law.
Um, OK.
* But there are some things the two incumbents can use. For instance…
Sullivan and Sandack protect your pocketbook. They are fiscally prudent. They have the record to prove it.
* Meanwhile, this is how the Trib described freshman Rep. Kathleen Willis’ Democratic primary opponent Tony Favela…
Favela is running an aggressive campaign
Who spun them on that?
Favela has raised almost no money and he’s just barely on the HDem radar screen.
Heckuva job, Brownie.
9 Comments
|
* Oof…
Sen. Bill Brady twice compared Republican opponent for governor Bruce Rauner to jailed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich during Tuesday night’s GOP candidate forum.
“The more I hear Bruce Rauner speak the more he sounds like Rod Blagojevich,” Brady said. “That’s the way he came to Springfield.” […]
Later in the forum, Brady brought up Rauner’s reported ties to Blago-linked Stuart Levine.
“He’s tied to more felons who are in jail than I think Rod Blagojevich,” Brady said
Too bad Brady doesn’t have any money to burn that message in.
* Kerpow…
After the debate, Dillard lit into Rauner for his past donations to Democrats, including former Democratic National Committee chair Ed Rendell.
“Bruce Rauner is the worst kind of insider,” Dillard said. “Bruce Rauner is the king of all pay-to-play politics in the history of Illinois.”
Dillard questioned Rauner’s contention that he did not know Levine.
“A man like Bruce Rauner who goes and asks for $50 million from the board that Levine controls, you don’t think knows who’s on that board?” Dillard said. “Bruce is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.”
Maybe more of that during the debate?
* Oy…
Rutherford’s campaign has been weakened by a federal lawsuit from a former treasurer’s office worker alleging sexual harassment and being forced to do political work on state time. Asked if he should publicly release a taxpayer-funded report looking into the allegations that he commissioned, Rutherford said “no” and cited the lawsuit.
“The report is not going to be released,” he said.
What happened to his rhetoric about how he really, truly, sincerely wants the report to be released, but he just can’t because his lawyer won’t let him?
* Related…
* Zorn: Rauner’s attack on Quinn is a crime against truth
* VIDEO: Bill Brady Compares Bruce Rauner to Blagojevich
* VIDEO: Dillard: “I Will be Able to Tell Mayor Rahm Emanuel No”
* VIDEO: Republican Candidates Talk Job Creation
* VIDEO: Republican Candidates Discuss Equal Pay for Women
* Dillard unveils economic plan with tax credits to create jobs
63 Comments
|
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As financial cooperatives, credit unions function as economic democracies. Every customer is both a member and an owner. Each member has the opportunity to vote in electing board members and members also run for election to the board. A credit union’s board of directors consists of unpaid volunteers, elected by and from the membership – everyday people like you. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees. Board members serve voluntarily. Speaking of volunteering, the credit union “People Helping People” philosophy motivates credit unions to get involved in countless community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. A credit union’s goal is to serve all members well, including those of modest means - every member counts. Credit unions exist solely for this reason, not to make a profit. Members know their credit union will be there for them in challenging times, as well as good – which is the reason why members are so fiercely loyal.
Comments Off
|
Kid… Have you rehabilitated yourself?
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The effort by House Speaker Michael Madigan to rehabilitate his public image after years of negative media coverage appears to be continuing. From a press release…
Hoping to secure a second presidential library for Illinois, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and State Rep. Monique D. Davis on Monday introduced legislation to devote $100 million in state capital funding toward the presidential library and museum of President Barack Obama.
“Illinois has a long and proud tradition as the birthplace or home of some of our country’s most influential commanders-in-chief, from Lincoln and Grant to Reagan and Obama,” Madigan said. “We hope President Obama selects his adopted home state of Illinois to be the location of his presidential library, which will be a lasting testament to his contributions and leadership as an Illinois state senator, U.S. senator and president of the United States. It’s important that we make a strong financial commitment to honor the legacy of one of Illinois’ favorite sons and the first African-American president of the United States.”
According to the National Archives, the president selects the location of his presidential library with advice from the Archivist of the United States. A number of proposals may be submitted by various interested locations.
According to Politico, among the interested locations are the University of Chicago, which is close to Obama’s Hyde Park home and where he taught constitutional law; the University of Illinois at Chicago; Chicago State University; Columbia University in New York City, where Obama received his undergraduate degree in 1983; and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where Obama’s parents met. While three Illinois sites are seeking to land the presidential library and museum, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former chief-of-staff, said in January that he wants the city to make a single proposal for one location.
“Chicago is a world-class city and the ideal location to build a lasting tribute to President Obama’s achievements,” Madigan said. “Chicago is where the president got his start in public service as a community organizer and as a state senator. Housing his library and museum in the city and state where his impressive career took root is the right thing to do.”
The reported target date for selecting the site of President Obama’s library and museum is early 2015.
If you’ll recall, Madigan derisively referred to Obama as “The Messiah” several years ago.
* Leader Durkin isn’t ready to sign on…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says if Illinois could get back to rosier budget days, he’d give the idea consideration.
Durkin says it’s a question of priorities. He also says the proposal is premature, given that other states — like Hawaii, where Obama was born — are still in the running.
Madigan’s plan gives no indication of where Illinois would get the money.
* So, what about the money?…
Steve Brown, a spokesman for the speaker, said a time frame on how the money would be appropriated has not been set, noting the state “will need a new capital plan to accommodate programs like this one.”
The last capital construction program, passed by the Legislature in 2009, funded $31 billion in projects around the state, through approving video gambling and taxing liquor, soft drinks and candy, and increasing driver’s license fees.
Headline is explained here.
45 Comments
|
New poll: Rauner still way ahead
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a We Ask America tracking poll of 1,262 likely GOP primary voters, with the firm’s Feb. 25th tracker numbers in parentheses…
Bill Brady 12% (13)
Kirk Dillard 14.5% (17)
Bruce Rauner 40% (36)
Dan Rutherford 8% (7.5)
Undecided 26% (27)
* From the pollster…
As the results show, Bruce Rauner continues to dominate the others by a wide margin. With only two weeks to go, it will be extraordinarily difficult for any contender to close the gap. Absent a Richter-scale scandal or some kind of proof of certain unions’ claim that they can talk their members into pulling GOP ballots for Dillard (more on that tomorrow), Mr. Rauner’s lead should hold.
We believe that the Fat Lady is clearing her voice.
* Trendlines since last May…
45 Comments
|
AFSCME backs Dillard
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers this morning that this would likely happen soon. Well, it happened today. From a statement by Henry Bayer, executive director for AFSCME Council 31…
“We believe that Kirk Dillard would be the best choice in the Republican primary because he has a long record of public service and a demonstrated understanding of state government. He rejects the demonization of public employees – correctional officers, caretakers for those with disabilities, and thousands of others who provide the vital public services that Illinois citizens demand.
“On the other hand, his primary opponent Bruce Rauner is a billionaire CEO with no experience and little understanding of state government. He calls himself a ‘political outsider’ but has a long record of political cronyism and questionable business deals.
“Rauner asserts that state and other public employees have no legitimate voice in state government while claiming he would run the state ‘like a business’. Illinois citizens would be ill-served by turning over its veterans’ homes and mental health facilities to someone who sought to squeeze profits out of hundreds of nursing homes that were subsequently plagued by millions of dollars in verdicts from wrongful death and patient-neglect lawsuits.
“We believe Kirk Dillard, with his long experience in the Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar administrations, as well as the state senate, is the responsible choice in the Republican race for governor.”
The IEA and IFT have already endorsed Dillard.
Discuss.
70 Comments
|
* I was out of the office chasing other stories when Attorney General Lisa Madigan released a letter to the Macon County Clerk, who was asking for direction on whether to issue same sex marriage licenses. The clerk’s state’s attorney had advised against it, so he turned to Madigan several days ago. From her response…
For the reasons explained in more detail in the legal papers filed in the Lee case, my office’s position is that current Illinois restrictions against same-sex marriage violate the equal protection rights that belong to all citizens under the United States Constitution. Since the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Windsor, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013), there has been a consistent stream of lower federal court decisions declaring restrictions against same-sex marriage unconstitutional. […]
In its February 21, 2014 decision, the court in Lee likewise ruled that “marriage is a fundamental right to be equally enjoyed by all individuals of consenting age regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation, and the public policy of this State has been duly amended to reflect that position.” Because the case was filed only against Cook County Clerk David Orr, the court stated that its ruling applied only to Cook County: “Although this Court finds that the marriage ban for same-sex couples violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause on its face, this finding can only apply to Cook County based upon the posture of the lawsuit.”
As a general matter, a court decision is not binding on persons who were not parties to the case. In limited circumstances, a person who was not a party may be considered to be in privity with one of the parties and therefore bound by the court’s rulings. That exception does not apply here. […]
Even though the ruling in Lee is not binding on you, the protections guaranteed by the Constitution must exist without regard to county lines, and the Lee decision, along with the federal court decisions noted above, should be persuasive as you evaluate whether to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Additionally, while the ruling in Lee does not control other courts as binding precedent, we expect Lee to be persuasive to other state or federal trial courts addressing the same questions. If there is another suit challenging a county clerk’s refusal to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple in Illinois, our office would likely move to intervene, as we did in Lee, and urge the court to follow the holding in Lee.
Thus, in deciding whether to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples before June 1, each county clerk should consult with his or her State’s Attorney and give full consideration to the rulings in Lee and the many other cases cited above, as well as to the cost and potential outcome of litigation in the event of a lawsuit challenging any denial. In the meantime, same-sex couples who wish to marry in Illinois before June 1 may ask their local clerks to issue the marriage licenses. If such requests are denied, couples may opt to obtain their marriage licenses in Cook County to be married there, or they may file a lawsuit, as the plaintiffs did in Lee, in which we would argue that it is unconstitutional to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
* Gov. Pat Quinn issued a statement…
Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement on the state’s immediate recognition of marriage equality for all:
“Nobody should have to wait for equal rights when it comes to love. I encourage every county clerk in Illinois to quickly follow the Attorney General’s guidance.
“Following this guidance, the Illinois Department of Public Health will now accept all marriage licenses issued by any county clerk in Illinois.”
Under current law, the public health department helps ensure that new marriages comply with state laws.
* From Equality Illinois…
Equality Illinois said Monday that a letter released tonight by Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan gives all Illinois counties the green light to immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The letter released by the Illinois attorney general regarding marriage equality says “the protections guaranteed by the Constitution must exist without regard to county lines.”
The letter was sent in response to a question from Macon County Clerk Stephen Bean in Decatur about whether the federal court decision ordering Cook County Clerk David Orr to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples applies to counties in the rest of the state. It was shared with all 102 counties in the state.
“We agree with the Attorney General that the recent federal decision knocking down restrictions on marriage equality as unconstitutional should be the determining factor in clerks’ decisions to issue the licenses before the June 1 effective date of the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans.
“Already some 260 couples have obtained licenses in Cook County, according to David Orr’s office, and there are many thousands more around the state awaiting the time that they can have their love legally recognized,” Cherkasov said.
* Tribune…
Lake County officials said Tuesday that they had no plans to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses before June 1, according to State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim.
Lawyers in the prosecutor’s office, which gives legal counsel to Lake County Clerk Willard Helander’s office, view the ruling that Madigan cited as applying only to Cook County, Nerheim said.
Issuing questionably valid licenses could make a mess of future divorce and probate cases, Nerheim said.
“We just want to make sure that those licenses are valid,” he said.
Officials from other counties in the Chicago area did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
*** UPDATE *** Another one…
St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook on Wednesday said his county was ready to immediately start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The announcement came a day after Attorney General Lisa Madigan told all Illinois county clerks they had the right to give them out.
13 Comments
|
|
Comments Off
|
|
Comments Off
|
Tonight’s assignments
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There’s a debate at 6 o’clock…
The 2014 Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates will participate in a forum on Tuesday, March 4, co-sponsored by NBC 5 Chicago and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and Harris School of Public Policy, at 6:00 p.m.
All four candidates in the Republican primary —Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner and Dan Rutherford — will participate in this first-ever partnership between UChicago and NBC 5.
The 60-minute forum will be broadcast live on NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) from the David and Reva Logan Center for the Arts’ Performance Hall. The event will also be webcast live and will include an additional 30-minute question-and-answer session with the audience at the end.
There’s no link on NBC’s website yet, but help out in comments if you can.
* Also tonight…
129 Comments
|
* From the Decatur Herald & Review…
Calling the city’s pensions “dangerously underfunded,” the Illinois Policy Institute released a report intended to highlight a statewide problem stemming from the rising costs of pensions for police, firefighters and local government workers. […]
“Despite more money being thrown into pension systems, the relative health of those pensions systems aren’t that much better, or they’re worse. They’re worse in most cities,” [Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute] said. “You’ve got a lose-lose situation where taxpayers are throwing in more money and yet they’re not getting any benefit from that.”
In a news release issued Thursday, the institute said “every penny” of property tax revenue in Decatur goes to pay for local government pensions.
But…
In fact, about $7.6 million of the city’s $11.7 million property tax levy is designated for pensions. The remaining money is pledged to the Decatur Public Library, municipal band and general obligation bond debt. […]
The fire and police pension funds have a cash balance of about $130 million. They are now 62 percent and 69 percent funded, respectively, [Decatur City Manager Ryan McCrady] said.
“If we stop putting a penny into those pension funds today, employees that would not get a pension are probably in high school,” he said.
* SJ-R editorial…
The Illinois Policy Institute, a Chicago-based think tank and lobbying organization that makes no secret of its advocacy for 401(k)-style public pension plans, injected itself into the local pension conversation this week by offering Springfield aldermen an embarrassingly flawed assessment of the city’s pension picture.
Aldermen politely sent packing the institute’s representative, Ted Dabrowski, who appeared at Tuesday night’s council meeting to present its study of Springfield’s pension system.
For the study, the Illinois Policy Institute used publicly available data from Springfield and 113 other Illinois cities to score and rank how much of an effect pensions are having on taxpayers, property taxes and municipal budgets. Springfield, the study declares, has the worst-funded municipal pension system of the state’s 20 largest cities and spends 100 percent of its general fund property taxes to pay for police, fire and city pensions.
Not so fast.
Among other flaws, the study accounted for all city pension payments, including those for enterprise funds, such as City Water, Light and Power. It did not, however, account for revenue from those enterprise funds, which skewed the institute’s conclusions. […]
The report also asserts Springfield’s property taxes have “skyrocketed” because of unwieldy pension payments. In fact, property tax rates in Springfield haven’t increased since 1984, but revenue meanwhile has increased because of property appreciation and development.
* Good journalism from the two Downstate papers. Not so much from WGN TV…
It’s not just the state of Illinois as a whole that’s dealing with a huge, pension problem.
Municipal pension systems are also in rough shape. A new audit by a conservative think-tank says pensions are wreaking havoc with municipal budgets. […]
If you wonder why you’re having more potholes than ever, it’s not just the weather,” says John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute. “It’s the pension crisis in your own community.”
Tillman says a new audit of 114 Illinois cities and towns reveals an alarming problem. ”It doesn’t matter if you’re a low income community or a high end community,” he says. “All these towns are having trouble keeping up with their pension obligations because the amount of the obligation is growing way too fast.”
32 Comments
|
Caption contest!
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
The Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI) announced that the Board of Directors has unanimously elected Robert L. Myers Jr. as President effective January 2, 2014. Myers succeeds ABDI’s President Bill Olson who retired January 1, 2014, after twenty-nine (29) years of service to ABDI.
“After a thorough and deliberate selection process, the Board of Directors is delighted that Bob will serve as chief staff officer of ABDI,” said Gene McEnery, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Bob has a thorough understanding of the needs of our distributor members and his legislative contacts will be invaluable. I have no doubt that he is the right person to lead ABDI as ABDI enters its 76th year.”
Myers has worked for ABDI for 20 years, most recently as Vice President of Government Relations, where he oversaw all aspects of ABDI’s legislative initiatives.
“I am honored that the Board of Directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of Bill Olson,” said Bob Myers. “I am also thrilled that I will have the ability to rely on Bill’s counsel over the coming year as he is an exceptional executive, leader, role model and friend.”
* The photo…
46 Comments
|
Question of the day
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some of you have been wondering in comments today why a rich guy like Bruce Rauner would spend so much of his own money to win public office. A few have opined about where they’d escape to if they had Rauner’s cash. Some have pointed to the fact that the governor’s salary is so much less than Rauner is currently spending.
But take a look at this December, 2003 interview of Rauner by former Sun-Times columnist Dave Lundy. No link because it’s behind their archives wall…
Lundy: What are your goals over the next few years?
Rauner: I plan on continuing to work in our industry for a number of years. I love our business and would do it as a hobby. But it’s very important for me to have this social service element. And I want to continue to be more involved with my time as well as my money.
I know this will sound corny again, but I remember my grandfather saying, “Bruce, when you die, just make sure the world is a better place because you were here.” That’s just a huge issue for me. I don’t want to die and have people say, “Boy, he was a pretty good equity investor.” That’s nice, but it’s not what I want written on my tombstone.
He wasn’t totally consumed with making money. Yeah, he spent a whole lot of time doing it, but he also clearly wanted to do other stuff, even as far back as 2003.
Also, Rauner has said he will refuse to accept a salary if he’s elected governor. He doesn’t need the cash. He doesn’t want a state pension.
But, because it was a fun little diversion in comments, let’s go with this one today…
* The Question: If you were worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars and made $53 million in reported income last year, what would you do with your life?
97 Comments
|
* The Macon County State’s Attorney has refused to give permission to County Clerk Steve Bean to issue marriage licenses for gay couples in the wake of a federal judge ordering Cook County to grant the licenses.
Last week, Macon’s Clerk Bean wrote Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan for guidance. You can read that letter and the correspondence between Bean and his state’s attorney by clicking here.
* From the Decatur paper [Fixed link]…
Bean said he was informed [a week ago] Friday by Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office not to issue licenses, as the judge’s order only applied to the Cook County clerk.
“Unless and until ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, you … may not violate the standing law of the State of Illinois by issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples at this time,” the office’s statement said.
After receiving his first call Wednesday afternoon from a resident inquiring about getting a license, Bean again asked Macon County State’s Attorney Jay Scott to reconsider his opinion or to ask Attorney General Lisa Madigan to provide equal protection to all citizens of Illinois.
Scott said late Wednesday evening that his office’s position had not changed on the matter, reiterating it is a legal interpretation of the ruling devoid of any personal position. In a letter sent to the Bean on Wednesday evening, his office shared legal concerns about same-sex marriage licenses issued before June 1 that could later be challenged in a probate or divorce setting.
“There is a possibility that any same sex marriages occurring before the effective date … could be found invalid after the fact,” the letter states. “A declaration of invalidity of a same sex marriage in a probate or divorce proceeding could have far reaching ramifications.”
However, the letter states the attorney’s office can only advise the clerk, and it is ultimately Bean’s decision whether to proceed immediately with the issuing of licenses.
* McLean County is also issuing licenses…
Despite the lack of guidance from state officials, McLean County will be the third county to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael told BuzzFeed that she plans to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as soon as late next week — a decision that comes just a day after Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten announced he would, under the court ruling, begin issuing such licenses.
Michael said her county will follow Hulten’s reasoning.
“I got ahold of our state’s attorney over the weekend and spent some time discussing this,” Hulten said. “They agreed with the Champaign state’s attorney’s opinion. But why wait go through [litigation] at the expense of the taxpayers? This will save a lot of people a lot of time and money.”
In his announcement, Hulten said he and his state’s attorneys concluded the Cook County ruling, which found the state’s statutory ban on marriage for same-sex couples violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, should apply to Champaign County.
* Others are considering it…
In DeWitt, Smith said Thursday she hadn’t yet spoken with her county’s state’s attorney, who is handling a trial. But if he has no legal problem with it, she plans to issue licenses early.
“I will not do it until I discuss it with him,” Smith said. “If he has no problem with it, then I have no problem with it.”
Vermilion Clerk Lynn Foster said she consulted with State’s Attorney Randy Brinegar, who does not believe the county has the authority to change the date, because it’s not a “home rule county” like Cook. However, Foster said she wouldn’t be surprised if the state removes the date restriction, so her office has started making necessary changes in software and printing new marriage licenses if that happens.
“And I don’t have any reason to want to wait,” Foster said. “This legislation has passed, so I don’t see that there’s any reason why we should hold out.”
Foster said her office received a few calls Wednesday and Thursday inquiring whether Vermilion would be issuing licenses immediately.
* I called the attorney general’s office last week and asked about the matter. I was told there could be an announcement by Friday. Then I was told that some sort of announcement could happen Monday.
* It’s now Tuesday and Clerk Bean has sent another e-mail…
Last week Macon County Clerk Steve Bean wrote the Attorney General Madigan asking her office to guidance to downstate county clerks on the recent Federal Court decision on same sex marriages. Attorney General Madigan called me Friday afternoon about the letter. We are awaiting her guidance in how to procedure with same sex marriages. Like the Champaign and Mc Lean County Clerks I believe that all Illinois should have marriage equality fo all Illinois and not a single county.
I hope that the Attorney General will soon provide guidance to rest of the county clerks concerning marriage equality.
Aside from the spelling errors, he does have a point.
* I called the AG’s office again today and was told to expect something late this afternoon. So stay tuned.
21 Comments
|
Today’s numbers are a bummer
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
Poor sales of the new Dodge Dart have pushed Chrysler to temporarily lay off 325 employees at the Belvidere assembly plant that produces the compact sedans in northern Illinois.
Chrysler Group LLC confirmed the layoffs Monday, hours after releasing February sales figures showing a 37 percent decline for the Dart, the Rockford Register Star reported. The layoffs will last through the rest of the week and affect employees on all of the plant’s three shifts.
Overall sales for the company rose 11 percent last month from February of last year, but the Dart has failed to keep up with long-established competitors in the compact sedan market since its debut in 2012.
In a written statement, Chrysler said the layoffs were necessary to “to balance vehicle supply with current sales demand.”
23 Comments
|
Meh
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Cable TV advertising is very effective, but it takes a lot longer to burn in a message on cable than it does on broadcast TV. And running ads on a “handful of cable channels” ain’t the way to do it, either…
With two weeks left before voters head to the polls, state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, is scheduled to begin airing a biographical television ad beginning Tuesday, said campaign spokesman Wes Bleed. […]
Propelled by new money from the state’s two teachers’ unions, Dillard is planning to run his ads on a handful of cable channels statewide.
Bleed said Monday he didn’t know how long Dillard’s will run. “We’re going to keep them going as long as we can,” he said.
Bill Brady also claims he’s going to run some TV ads, but he has about 11 cents in his campaign account. OK, that’s an exaggeration. It’s more like $11.
10 Comments
|
This warrants a closer look
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, on Monday called for a federal inquiry into Gov. Pat Quinn’s $54 million neighborhood crime program that was slammed by the state’s auditor general last week and likened to a “political slush fund,” by one Republican. […]
“Those comments are ridiculous and irresponsible,” said Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson. “As we’ve made clear repeatedly, these issues were resolved more than a year ago.”
Anderson said it was an investigation by the governor’s office that unearthed issues when they came to light in 2012. After that, Quinn immediately moved to abolish the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, which was created before him, Anderson said. The program still exists and Anderson said as far as the political accusations — not one dollar was awarded until after the 2010 election. […]
“I think there are significant questions. We are actually going to be asking the auditor to forward his findings to the inspector general as well as to the federal prosecutors to take a look at it,” Radogno said after speaking to the City Club of Chicago. “I think there is plenty of reason to think there may have been actual crimes committed, but I don’t know that at this point … I think it’s premature to use the I-word. I think that we need to look further into it.”
When asked if she had reason to believe the line was crossed by intermediaries or the governor himself, Radogno responded: “Probably all of the above.”
As subscribers already know, the claims about no money being expended before the election are technically true. However, lots and lots of contracts were signed before the election. Those groups knew a pile of state cash was heading their way well before election day.
And, frankly, it doesn’t matter when the issues were “resolved.” What matters is if anyone associated with this program broke the law. I don’t think a further investigation would hurt.
46 Comments
|
Rate Tom Cross’ new cable TV ad
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a Tom Cross campaign e-mail to supporters…
Beginning this morning, our campaign took to the airwaves to share our goals for the office of Treasurer, which include balancing the budget and cracking down on fraud and corruption, and also highlight the policy differences between myself and the Frerichs/Quinn Agenda.
The ad, titled “Clear Choice”, succinctly asks two key questions of voters: Do you want more spending or a balanced budget? Do you want higher taxes or greater reform?
* Cross is taking the Rauner route of ignoring his GOP primary opposition. The ad doesn’t even mention the possible existence of a Bob Grogan and instead boosts his own campaign (I expect overlays of any newspaper endorsements he receives down the road) and attacks Frerichs. Rate it…
* This is a cable buy, so I checked in with Comcast…
$37,860 on the Chicago Interconnect
3/5 - 3/9/14 FXNC only all dayparts
$41,640 on the Chicago Interconnect
3/11 - 3/17/14 FXNC only all dayparts
He also heavied up his FXNC only presence in key Comcast zones having a higher GOP voter audience: $19,960 spread across five Comcast zones: Oakbrook, St.Charles/ Wheaton, Orland Park, Mt. Prospect, Frankfort 3/4 - 3/17/14 FXNC only all dayparts
All Fox News, all the time. If you wanna reach hardcore GOP primary voters, that’s the most reliable way to do it. And attacking Democrats doesn’t hurt at all on that channel.
44 Comments
|
About today’s endorsements
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From today’s Tribune endorsements…
Republican state Rep. Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn says business costs are too high in Illinois — yet she voted against a work comp bill that has helped to curb those costs. She says public employee pensions have to be fixed — but she voted against the comprehensive pension reform bill that was signed into law. Surprise, surprise, she’s received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from public employee unions. You can’t count on Pihos to make the tough decisions needed to build a strong Illinois economy. Enough. Attorney Peter Breen of Lombard knows that Republicans have to lead on this. As a Lombard Village Board member, Breen has pushed to keep taxes and spending low. We’re confident he would protect taxpayers in Springfield. We have no confidence in Pihos. Breen is endorsed.
A few points.
First, almost all House Republicans voted as a bloc against the workers’ compensation reform bill.
Second, Bruce Rauner has dismissed that workers’ comp bill as weak and ineffective. Rauner also strongly opposed the pension reform bill. So, keep an eye on the Tribune’s endorsement in the governor’s race to see how those two issues play into the paper’s decision.
* And, third, do you notice anything missing? How about what Peter Breen does for a living? Breen is the former executive director and current Vice President and Senior Counsel for the Thomas More Society. The group is staunchly pro-life and has worked hard to stop gay marriage in Illinois. From his Thomas More Society bio…
Peter Breen has appeared in state and federal courts in Illinois and across the country in defense of life, marriage, and religious liberty. Peter is regularly sought out by the television, radio, and print media as an expert legal analyst and in connection with the Thomas More Society’s lawsuits. Prior to his recent promotion, Peter served as the Society’s Executive Director & Legal Counsel, directing its day-to-day operations. During his five-year tenure as Executive Director, the Society grew substantially, successfully taking on numerous lawsuits of national importance, setting fundraising records, and retiring all of its long-term debt.
You’d think the guy’s day job would be relevant here.
Breen is also being backed to the hilt by Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC.
…Adding… Like Rep. Pihos, Democratic House candidate Will Guzzardi is receiving big bucks from public employee unions. Actually, he’s getting tons more money than she is.
And like Pihos, Guzzardi opposes pension reform.
Yet on the very same page, the Trib endorses Guzzardi over Rep. Toni Berrios, who voted for pension reform…
Will Guzzardi lost the Democratic primary in 2012 to state Rep. Toni Berrios by just 125 votes. Guzzardi is trying again to defeat the daughter of Joe Berrios, the Cook County assessor and Democratic Party chairman who loves to install family members in government jobs. Toni Berrios is a loyal soldier for House Speaker Michael Madigan. Though we disagree with his position on pension reform and some other issues, his election would bring some much-needed independence to the House. “The monolithic structures of power in Springfield aren’t doing any good for anyone,” he says. Voters who are fed up with patronage and cronyism should turn out for Guzzardi. He is endorsed.
* But Mother Tribune is OK with “patronage and cronyism” in another House Democratic primary…
Chicago Ald. Deb Mell held this House seat before she was appointed to succeed her father, former Ald. Dick Mell, in the City Council. The Northwest Side district is now represented by Dick Mell’s former aide Jaime Andrade Jr. We were prepared to work up another lather about insider appointments and such but … it turns out Andrade is pretty gutsy. He took a tough vote in favor of pension reform in December and, for that, the state’s biggest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, wants to punish him. AFSCME is bankrolling Nancy Schiavone, an attorney who ran for alderman in 2011. There are other choices. Aaron Goldstein is a sharp, ambitious attorney who served on Rod Blagojevich’s legal defense team. Wendy Jo Harmston is a consultant who started a dog-sitting business. Mark Pasieka also is on the ballot. But Andrade knows and serves his community and understands this state still faces a financial crisis. Andrade is endorsed.
48 Comments
|
We have a new record
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s only gonna go up from here…
Wealthy venture capitalist Bruce Rauner has set a new record for personal funding in a campaign for Illinois governor, his out-of-pocket total hitting $6 million after he put another $1 million into his bid Monday. […]
Rauner, a Winnetka businessman who is perhaps the wealthiest candidate ever to run for public office in Illinois, has now raised $14 million ahead of the March 18 primary election — far and away eclipsing the combined money-raising efforts of Republican rivals state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale and state Treasurer Dan Rutherford of Chenoa.
The previous record for personal money in an Illinois governor race came in 2006, when Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz and his wife donated $5.3 million only to lose the primary election. Still, Rauner has a ways to go to top the U.S. Senate bids of Blair Hull, who spent $28.6 million of his own money to lose the 2004 Democratic primary to Barack Obama, and Peter Fitzgerald, who spent nearly $12 million from his own pocket to win in 1998.
* If he wins the primary, he’ll easily break Hull’s record. NBC 5 looks at other states…
Self-funded political campaigns have taken off in recent years, with the number of such candidates rising from 78 in 1990 to 223 in 2010 and 193 in 2012, according to an analysis by The Washington Times. The Times also found that of 1,752 self-funded candidates in federal elections since 1990, only 42 have been elected—a success rate of just 2.4 percent.
That was certainly the case for pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who suffered two straight defeats in her bid for a Connecticut Senate seat, despite dropping $97 million of her own money.
Jeff Greene, a Florida investor who made billions on credit default swaps, lost a Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 2010 despite contributing $23 million to his own campaign.
In 2002, Texas banker Tony Sanchez spent $60 million of his own money on his Democratic campaign for governor, while billionaire businessman Thomas Golisano spent more than $50 million from his personal fortune in New York’s gubernatorial race. Neither won.
* Sun-Times…
A Rauner campaign aide said the massive infusion of new money is designed to counter the push by unions and other Democratic interests to knock him out of the primary.
“Liberal special interest groups and government union bosses have spent $4 million attempting to hijack the Republican primary and are trying to stop Bruce from spreading his plan to pass term limits, cut spending, and reverse the Quinn 67 percent tax hike,” Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said.
64 Comments
|
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As financial cooperatives, credit unions function as economic democracies. Every customer is both a member and an owner. Each member has the opportunity to vote in electing board members and members also run for election to the board. A credit union’s board of directors consists of unpaid volunteers, elected by and from the membership – everyday people like you. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees. Board members serve voluntarily. Speaking of volunteering, the credit union “People Helping People” philosophy motivates credit unions to get involved in countless community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. A credit union’s goal is to serve all members well, including those of modest means - every member counts. Credit unions exist solely for this reason, not to make a profit. Members know their credit union will be there for them in challenging times, as well as good – which is the reason why members are so fiercely loyal.
Comments Off
|
|
Comments Off
|
|
Comments Off
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
 
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS |
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax |
Advertise Here |
Mobile Version |
Contact Rich Miller
|
