Question of the day
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Two decades after proposing that state elected officials be limited to eight years in office, Gov. Pat Quinn says he still supports term limits but won’t pledge to make his next term his last should he win re-election next year. […]
A hot topic during the 1990s, the term limits issue has been resurrected for the 2014 campaign for governor by wealthy Winnetka businessman Bruce Rauner, who is making it a major platform in his bid for the Republican nomination.
A new Rauner TV ad labels Quinn “a career politician who failed to deliver term limits.” Rauner also is chairing a political action committee that is working to put on the ballot a limit on state lawmakers’ time in office. In addition, Rauner has pledged not to serve more than eight years as governor if he wins.
“Quinn is acting like a typical politician, wanting one set of rules for himself and another for everyone else,” Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said in a statement Wednesday.
Quinn has definitely flip-flopped on term limits, at least as far as he, himself is concerned.
But Rauner says in his new TV ad that term limits should apply to all state politicians: “Every politician in Springfield, eight years and you’re out. You’re done, you’re out.”
What Rauner doesn’t say in the ad is that his specific proposal only applies to legislators, not to the executive branch. Rauner says he’d term limit himself, but can a voluntary pledge like that be believed?
* The Question: Assuming he’s elected, do you trust Bruce Rauner’s word that he’ll limit himself to two terms? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
web surveys
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Just a tad brighter
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois’ economy sucks just a little less right now. From a press release…
Illinois added +10,300 private sector jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The September to November three-month gain of +36,900 in total jobs is the largest since October 2010.
Illinois has added +281,400 private sector jobs since January 2010 when job growth returned following nearly two years of consecutive monthly declines. Leading growth sectors are Professional and Business Services (+116,400); Education and Health Services (+61,000); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+58,700). Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down -28,600.
November growth leaders were Trade, Transportation and Utilities, (+6,700), Construction (+6,100) and Education and Health Care (+3,400). Although manufacturing jobs have grown since 2010, a temporary global slowdown in mining continues to impact manufacturing jobs in Illinois.
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Target warning
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today warned consumers to be on the lookout for unauthorized charges in the wake of a massive data breach at Target stores nationwide.
Madigan said her office is looking into the breach of customers’ personal financial information and has contacted Target representatives to learn how many Illinois consumers are affected and what the company is doing to assist those customers.
“With today’s announcement by Target that as many as 40 million Americans credit and debit card information has been compromised, it is critical that consumers be vigilant in checking their credit card and bank account statements for any unauthorized charges,” Madigan said. “If you discover an unauthorized charge, contact your bank immediately to dispute it. Consumers in need of assistance can visit my website or contact my Identity Theft hotline.”
Madigan offered tips for consumers who believe they were impacted by the data breach:
Monitor your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges, especially consumers who used a credit or debit card at Target between November 27 and December 15.
If you see an unauthorized charge on your account, contact your card issuer right away using the toll-free number on the card to dispute the charges. Some card issuers might require that you follow up with a written dispute in order to receive a refund.
Even if you do not detect an unauthorized charge, you can contact your card issuer using the toll-free number on the card and discuss whether it is appropriate to cancel your card and obtain a new account number and card.
Beware of callers who claim to be with your card issuing bank. These calls may be a scam. Consumers should contact their bank first at the toll-free number on the back of your card before you disclose any personal information.
Madigan is also urging consumers to contact her Identity Theft Hotline at 1 (866) 999-5630 for more information or to learn how to respond to the data breach.
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Casey Stengel redux
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Can’t anybody here play this game?…
Just days after saying Illinois would accept only online applications for concealed carry permits, Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration has announced it will accept paper applications, but not until six months after the process begins. […]
It was clear that the Illinois State Police, the agency that will be taking the applications and anticipates 400,000 in the first year alone, was not close to being ready for the change; one official balked when Leach said he would like to see the paper applications ready to go in March.
“I cannot commit to March,” said Suzanne Bond, chief legal counsel for the state police, which is responsible for accepting applications, conducting background checks and offering firearm training for the flood of residents expected to apply to carry concealed weapons.
Bond’s comments underscore a concern that things might not go smoothly next month when the law goes into effect.
“I think they are going to be pushed to do something sooner,” said Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said of the delay until July 1. “But it shows how incompetent they are.”
* Again, can’t anybody here play this game?…
Illinois officials are emailing and calling thousands of people, advising them to start over on their health insurance applications if they believe the federal government mistakenly referred them to Medicaid.
The latest wrinkle in the troubled enrollment process for the nation’s new health insurance system was announced Wednesday, just days ahead of a key enrollment deadline.
The federal HealthCare.gov website received more than 30,000 applications from Illinoisans who may be eligible for Medicaid, the government health program for the poor. That federal site has been plagued by glitches that now are mostly fixed.
Those 30,000 applications are the ones in question. Some Illinois residents who were referred to Medicaid believe they were incorrectly denied private health coverage, said Illinois Department of Insurance spokesman Mike Claffey.
It’s called governing. Do it, already.
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The next bidding war?
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Now that ADM has decided to open its new global headquarters in Chicago, the company is putting a new tech center up for bids. Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants that tech center and is trying to claim credit for the HQ decision as well…
“The mayor’s message this morning was, ‘OK, great, fantastic (about the ADM headquarters). Don’t celebrate too long. Let’s get really focused on winning the tech center,’” said Deputy Mayor Steve Koch, the mayor’s point man on attracting businesses to the city.
In fact, at one point while ADM was considering where to locate its global headquarters, Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a presentation to the company’s board of directors and responded to questions, a source familiar with the meeting said. The meeting took place Oct. 30 at the Modern Wing at the Art Institute.
I’m told by people close to the situation, however, that Gov. Pat Quinn made a strong, sustained personal effort to persuade ADM CEO Patricia Woertz to move the headquarters to Chicago without tax incentives.
* Quinn also wants the tech center, but within some limits…
Gov. Pat Quinn said the state will continue to pursue the technology center, saying ADM officials indicated that matter was “still open for competition.” The governor would not rule out some form of taxpayer-funded help to lure the center to Illinois but cautioned the state would not be handing out tax breaks “willy-nilly.”
“I don’t think that’s a good way to go,” Quinn said. “I think it’s better to be very precise with each and every company that comes to us.'’
“Our best way of helping the most companies is to invest in public works like roads, highways, railroads and water systems and to help them with their job training, with their educated, skilled workforce that we’ve got in abundance,” Quinn said.
* Sen. Andy Manar thinks the old way may be dead…
“The things that have been done in the past, long before I arrived in the state Senate, I would say have come to an end.”
Manar tried to shepherd legislation through the statehouse that would have given ADM nearly $30 million in tax breaks. The company, however, would have to hire 500 people in Decatur.
“I think the EDGE tax credit program needs some hefty reforms. I think we need to have that robust conversation, and I think (my legislation) is a good place to start,” Manar told Illinois Watchdog. […]
“If these things are going to come before the Legislature again, we should look at what the Senate passed for ADM,” Manar said. “That’s a good framework, in my mind, on how to achieve balance with (tax credits).”
* Not surprisingly, the Decatur newspaper isn’t happy…
Central Illinois should not, however, be upset with ADM. Moving the world headquarters is an understandable business decision and no one should forget that 4,400 jobs will remain in Decatur and that Decatur will remain as the North American headquarters.
But Central Illinois has every reason to feel slighted by its state government. After handing out tax incentives for years, Madigan and others suddenly decided it was time to change course. That decision came as the center of the state was finally going to benefit from a tax incentive package. It’s hard to believe that was a coincidence.
It’s good that ADM is keeping its world headquarters in Chicago. But it seems the state missed a chance for a bigger world headquarters, a technology center, and most importantly to add jobs in Central Illinois.
That doesn’t seem like a win.
* Meanwhile, in other corporate news…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office says Chicago and state officials have reached a deal with an Indiana company that will require it to remove huge black piles of petroleum coke from the city’s Southeast Side.
Known as “petcoke,” the material is a powdery byproduct of oil refining that’s been accumulating along Midwest shipping channels and sparking health and environmental concerns.
Emanuel and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan plan to announce the deal Thursday.
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* If Bruce Rauner wins the Republican nomination for governor, he’s gonna have a little trouble running to the center because he’s on tape saying things like he would’ve vetoed the gay marriage bill.
Rauner was asked about his position at a Quincy tea party event not long ago. He explained that he wanted a statewide referendum on gay marriage before a legislative vote, so he would’ve vetoed the bill. Of course, an ad could simply use his “If I were governor I would veto” line to make him look like a winger. Listen to the exchange…
Discuss.
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Today’s Golden Horseshoe Awards
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Believe it or not, the 2013 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statewide Officeholder goes to Gov. Pat Quinn…
Dragging Illinois out of the mess left by previous administrations and legislatures hasn’t been pretty, and it hasn’t made him the most popular leader, but he shrugs off the arrows and keeps dragging.
Say what you want about the man, but he’s not willing to sell out the state’s best interests, and he doesn’t get hustled by big city mayors or big time CEOs. He’s been instrumental on major issues like the tax increase, pension reform, SSM, etc., but he also doesn’t overlook the small stuff like the free museum days.
That’s the kind of leader I respect.
* A very close runner-up was Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka…
Judy, Judy, Judy: We can count on her to tell the simple truth, without the political messaging, massaging, and cheap shots. She has common sense. She works hard. She treats other people with respect. When we get confused on just where the state fiscal house stands, Judy sets us straight.
I noticed that Lisa Madigan received no nominations yesterday. Neither did Jesse White. I think that’s a first.
* Nominations for the 2013 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Congresscritter were kinda all over the place. But this nomination of Congressman Mike Quigley was the strongest…
For best congresscritter, I will second Mike Quigley, who so far looks like the rising star to beat in the next generation of IL’s Democratic House delegation. He started off 2013 with a bang by winning IL’s seat on Appropriations. Currently in the minority, he can work with both parties, particularly right now on ethics and fiscal restraint, while still being a strong voice for social progressivism and not shying away from calling out the Tea Party for its antics. He seems to have mastered the sweet spot of being a strong partisan and being politically effective, while not seeming overly partisan or political. There aren’t enough Reps in DC who can marry political smarts with just being really smart in general, but Quigley can walk and chew gum.
* Runner-up goes to freshman Rodney Davis…
This is a tough choice, and there really isn’t one in the Delegation where you find yourself sayting “They are Illinois!” Potomac Fever, Leadership positions, the wonky style of Washington has taken some of the charisma out, and added a great deal of partisan in, and that is not good at all.
That being said, my vote is for the member of the Delegation who has had the most to deal with since being sworn in, and has tried to handle the job, his district, national politics and local feuds the best of them all.
Congressman Rodney Davis has tried to do what he has felt was right, while dealing with the national scene that may not agree with those back home, making decisions and votes that have nothing to do with the local dust-up many in Congress do not have to face.
Rodney Davis continues to work hard to be the representative to Congress his district, this state and this country can be proud of, while walking a very fine line of partisanship and independence. Rodney Davis has served his district and this state well, while being a freshman and doing all this plate balancing.
Rodney Davis is a credit to his district and state, and will continue to be scrutinized in the short term. Illinois in the long term is being served well with Rodney Davis.
* OK, campers, we’re running outta time here, so let’s move on to our next categories…
* Best “Do-Gooder” Lobbyist
* Best Legislative Liaison
As always, make sure to explain your votes. Simple drive-by comments won’t be counted. Thanks!
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Caption contest!
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Attendees of my City Club speech yesterday filled two very big boxes with toys for the kids in Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ child-care program. It was so cool seeing all those folks walk into Maggiano’s carrying their toys.
I thought we’d also try to raise a little cash money yesterday, so I stationed two LSSI staffers at the back of the room and told the crowd that we were going to pass the hat.
A presentation had been given a few minutes before I spoke encouraging folks to participate in the Special Olympics’ Chicago Polar Plunge…
Think you’re fun? Take the test! Join 2,000 other “spirited” people at the 14th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge on Sunday, March 2 at North Avenue Beach. Whether you go knee high, waist high or take the full Plunge all are welcome to participate! This unique and memorable event benefits the programs enjoyed throughout the year by the nearly 5,000 athletes of Special Olympics Chicago. Grab your friends – the more the merrier!
The spirit of charity got the better of my brain, because I pledged to take that polar plunge if attendees contributed at least $1,000. We raised over $2,000 in cash. Anne Dias-Griffin (yes, that Anne Dias-Griffin) wrote a $1,000 check, saying she wanted to make sure I took that plunge. Mrs. Griffin’s generous donation brought our total to over $3,000.
I hope I survive.
* The LSSI folks asked me to pose for a photo holding the bowl of cash and standing between the toy boxes…
Have fun, and thanks so much to everyone who attended and contributed. Many thanks to Paul Green and the City Club for inviting me and helping with the toy and cash drive.
If you couldn’t be there, well, you can still donate to LSSI today by clicking here. Thanks!
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* From a press release…
Republican candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard issued the following statement regarding Gov. Quinn’s comments on raising the minimum wage in Illinois.
“I know families are struggling out there, and times are tough. But Governor Quinn is just trying to cover up the fact that since he’s been governor, our state’s business climate has sunk to historic lows. We need to bring good paying, real jobs back to Illinois — jobs that have a future — jobs that families can build a life on. Raising the minimum wage as an election-year stunt won’t do that.”
* Erickson…
But Dillard, who is running for governor in 2014, voted in favor of raising the minimum wage in 2006 when it was being pushed by now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, was among eight GOP senators who said “yes” in November 2006 to a plan to bump the minimum wage to $7.50 an hour in 2007. It topped out at $8.25 an hour in 2010.
Two of Dillard’s opponents in the GOP race for governor — state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and state Treasurer Dan Rutherford of Chenoa, who then was a state senator — voted “no” on the 2006 minimum wage hike. […]
Dillard did not immediately respond to questions about his switch in positions Wednesday evening.
Sigh.
*** UPDATE *** The story has been updated with a react…
Dillard spokesman Wes Bleed said Dillard has been a consistent opponent of minimum wage increases, but was persuaded to support the 2006 boost because the economy was in better shape.
“For the most part, he has opposed increasing the minimum wage,” Bleed said.
Dillard also voted “Present” on a minimum wage bill in 2006…
State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, said he did not have a problem with increasing the minimum wage, but felt it should be handled at the federal level.
That’s quite a few positions over the years.
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Last reminder
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m giving a speech today to the City Club, so blogging is gonna be light to nonexistent.
If you’re coming to the event, make sure to remember to bring a toy or gift card for a child ages 3-5 in Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ early childhood program.
Thanks!
You can use this post as a very rare “open thread.” Also, if something happens and I can’t get to the ‘puter, it’ll be a good place for any breaking news comments.
Later, gators.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The 2013 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Illinois State Senator - Democrat wasn’t even close. Sen. Kwame Raoul…
The man ate crow on concealed carry and pension reform after his Leader spent all of his time trashing previous proposals, and he did it in order to get important pieces of legislation passed. And he did it with class. That’s a statesman.
* Runner-up is a popular freshman…
Senator Manar has a very diverse and geographically large district but manages to cover it from north to south and east to west with his town hall meetings. I have attended two of these meetings and still have not seen the Senator fail to answer a question thoroughly and responsibly. His depth of knowledge of issues (especially downstate) and how to get things done are true assets to his district. The new water line for Stonington and his hearings on equitable education funding are prime examples. Downstate is fortunate to have an experienced and strong voice.
* The 2013 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Illinois State Senator - Republican goes to Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno. I don’t usually give this award to chamber leaders, but some of you pointed out that she was particularly deserving this year…
She leads that caucus in the right direction more often than not, and does it with more than her fair share of misfit toys. Pension reform doesn’t happen without her efforts. She beat back Madigan & Cullerton’s push for the pension cost shift, even while business interests and IPI supported it. She’s having more impact than she should be having under this map with 19 members. And like, Raoul, she does it with class.
Agreed. Some were skeptical that she could hold that caucus together on pension reform, particularly with Dillard jumping ship, but she did it.
* Runner-up goes to another popular freshman…
[Sen. Jason Barickman] voted for SSM because he believed it was the right thing to do. Despite the fact that he has a largely rural district. Despite the fact that he was Bill Brady’s attorney in 2010. He has also kept his head down and worked hard. He is clearly smart and a bright future ahead.
I also appreciate that he is willing to take risks. People forget that he was an appointed State Rep when he decided to challenge a sitting State Senator without a net. Granted it was Shane Cultra, but that takes a lot of guts. Something in short supply in Springfield.
* OK, instead of a question today, let’s move to the next category…
* Best Statewide Officeholder:
* Best Illinois Congresscritter
As always, make sure to explain your answers to both questions in comments, please. Drive-by and name-only votes won’t count. Thanks.
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War of words over Medicaid purge
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) [yesterday] announced that an Arbitrator has issued a supplemental order impacting the State’s largest public employee union that will allow for a contract with an outside vendor that handles Medicaid eligibility screening to be amended instead of abruptly cancelled.
The arbitrator’s supplemental order allows the state to maintain the improved screening process put in place this year to verify that Medicaid clients remain eligible for benefits when they re-apply annually to remain in the program. The state was faced with the abrupt termination of the eligibility screening contract with Maximus, Inc., at the end of this year, under an arbitrator’s initial ruling - issued this summer- in response to a grievance by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31.
Under the supplemental order, the Maximus contract will be amended and the state will retain the ability to use Maximus to make preliminary electronic determinations through the end of June. In addition, the agencies will be able to retain the use of Maximus’s call center and mail room operations through June 30, 2015. The screening program, known as the Illinois Medicaid Redetermination Project, was authorized by the General Assembly as part of the “Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together Act” (SMART Act) of 2012. The amended contract will comply with State and federal law and the collective bargaining agreement.
* But that’s not entirely true. The arbitrator’s “supplemental order” came after some negotiations…
In order to bring down costs, the administration of Gov. Pat Quinn agreed to hire Maximus, a company with experience verifying eligibility for Medicaid in other states. But the AFSCME union objected, saying the job should be done by government employees.
An arbitrator agreed, and the Quinn administration, warned by its lawyers that an appeal might not succeed, cut a deal with the union.
* Two Republican legislators called the new agreement a “backroom deal” and defended Maximus…
But lawmakers say the private company, Maximus, was “a stunning success” and should have never been fired.
“As of the latest update, 216,000 people who were receiving Medicaid benefits were taken off the program because the third-party contractor was involved,” said state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, adding that Maximus only looked at about a half million Medicaid files.
State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said before Maximus took over the review, state workers did a terrible job of checking incomes and addresses.
“These people were not even living in Illinois,” Bellock said. “They were (in) Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan.”
* AFSCME disagrees that Maximus was so great…
The union, however, points to the same report to contend that Maximus has a roughly 30 percent error rate among those 127,000 cases. Union leaders also say Maximus was duplicating work being done by state employees and argue that the company “found favor with a small vocal minority of legislators and conservative lobbyists.”
“It’s time to end this failed experiment with outsourcing a critical public watchdog role to a private, for-profit corporation,” said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31. “This order will bring oversight back to state government where it is directly accountable, and save money in the process.”
Actually, Maximus has some Democratic and regular Republican lobsters.
* Quinn defended the new arrangement…
Quinn denied any “backroom deal.”
“That isn’t the case,” Quinn told reporters in Chicago. “The fact of the matter is that I respect everyone. But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in court.”
Mike Claffey, a spokesman for HFS, said there was “nothing secret” about the deal, noting that legislators were told about the “two-track strategy” in September and it was in the department’s quarterly report.
* Look, the problem before wasn’t with the state employees, it was with management. If competent management is determined to cleanse the Medicaid rolls, then the job will get done. The question is whether state management is competent enough to do that and has the will to go forward.
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ADM decides on Chicago
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Various news sources are reporting that Archer Daniels Midland has decided to open its new world headquarters office in Chicago without any state tax incentives.
ADM had asked for up to $30 million in tax breaks over 20 years. Gov. Pat Quinn said he opposed any such proposal until after pension reform was passed. The Senate overwhelming approved the incentive as part of a broader package earlier this month after passing a pension reform bill, but House Speaker Madigan refused to call it for a vote, later blasting unnamed corporations for trying to get a free ride on the taxpayers’ dime.
* In reality, everybody probably shoulda seen this one coming back in October when this report emerged…
D. Cameron Findlay, ADM’s recently hired senior vice president and general counsel, paid $2.619 million for a 21st-floor condominium unit in a newly built Lincoln Park tower in Chicago.
Findlay closed on the unit in early September, before the company went public with its announcement that it’s planning to move its headquarters. It has said Chicago is its preferred city, although it’s seeking $24 million in tax incentives and is entertaining offers from other states.
* Crain’s…
Sources said the new deal reportedly was struck after a series of conversations between Gov. Pat Quinn and ADM CEO Patricia Woertz.
If true, that’s yet another win for Quinn. He stood against the incentives while most everybody else jumped on board.
* In contrast, Bruce Rauner said Quinn was “avoiding responsibility” and “playing games” with ADM when Quinn tied the passage of pension reform to more corporate subsidies.
Sen. Kirk Dillard’s running mate Jil Tracy claimed Quinn had displayed a “terrible lack of leadership to link these two issues,” adding…
“We need to assess and analyze, and certainly not hinder or antagonize them in the public as the governor’s done,” said state Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy)
* Both Dillard and Sen. Bill Brady voted for the ADM bill in the Senate this month. Brady demanded a special session to take up the issue after the House refused to act and Office Depot did what everybody expected and announced its new headquarters would be in Florida…
Hours after the Office Depot decision was aired, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, called on Gov. Pat Quinn to call the House back to town for a special session regarding ADM’s tax breaks.
“We have to do what we can to keep job creators in the state of Illinois,” said Brady, who is running for governor. “The leisurely, passive attitude of the governor and House sends a powerful message to all businesses in Illinois that they don’t really feel any urgency to protect jobs and assist employers.”
* The company won’t be creating new jobs, but, then again, it’s not getting any state money…
According to multiple sources with first-hand knowledge, ADM has reached an agreement with the state under which the headquarters and 60 to 75 top jobs will be moving from Decatur, where the agricultural giant now is based, to an as-yet-unidentified location in downtown Chicago.
That’s less than the 100 headquarters jobs the firm originally had mentioned when it announced in September that it was in search of a location with better international air connections and a wider talent pool than are available in Decatur.
Also not included are the 100 jobs at a technology center that the company said it would open in conjunction with its new headquarters. The fate of those positions is being left ambiguous, I’m told, with the company perhaps feeling that it has a better chance to get incentives for newly created positions rather than to just move jobs from one corner of the state to another.
* Mayor Rahm Emanuel is jumping on board today with a press release…
Mayor Emanuel today welcomed the announcement that Archer Daniels Midland has chosen to move its global headquarters to the city of Chicago.
“I am pleased to welcome ADM to Chicago and I look forward to the company’s continued success out of their new home,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As I said throughout this process, our goal was to put the city’s best foot forward and highlight Chicago’s strengths: an outstanding workforce, globally renowned transportation and infrastructure, and excellent quality of life. These strengths will help ADM as it continues its growth in the future just as they continue to drive our economy forward every day.”
The announcement comes a day after IBM released its annual “World’s Most Competitive Cities” report, which ranks 100 cities around the world in several key categories. In the category of International Headquarters, Chicago ranked 7th globally and second in North America, and the ADM headquarters move will only serve to solidify this ranking. Additionally, attracting corporate headquarters to the city is a key tenet of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, the city’s economic development plan that is implemented by World Business Chicago.
Throughout the several month process, Mayor Emanuel marshaled all of the city’s economic development entities toward the goal of attracting ADM, including World Business Chicago, and the city’s Department of Housing and Economic Development (DHED). He was also directly involved in the recruiting process on a number of occasions.
Emanuel’s refusal to publicly support ADM’s bid for state incentives and/or add in his own city’s money was blamed in part on Speaker Madigan’s reluctance to move the ADM bill. So, I guess it’s a sorta win for Emanuel, too.
Mainly, though, Quinn winds up looking pretty good here and at least three of his Republican opponents don’t.
* Also too, maybe ADM’s decision will finally get people to realize that Illinois can compete and that Chicago is our jewel in the crown for attracting corporate headquarters and more jobs. The Republican candidates for governor (and lots of others, myself included at times) apparently believed that Illinois couldn’t pull this off without a government subsidy.
Constantly running down your own state may play well in a primary, but as it turns out, doing so can be a dangerous little political game.
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