* A spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn says the state plans to appeal. This is AFSCME’s statement, with one from Quinn supposedly coming soon…
Frontline state employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 won a partial but important victory in Cook County Circuit Court yesterday when Judge Richard Billik ordered that the administration of Governor Pat Quinn is obligated to pay wages the governor has unilaterally withheld from some 30,000 state workers since July 2011.
Governor Quinn refused to pay negotiated wage increases provided in the union contract, arguing that the state legislature failed to appropriate sufficient funds. An independent arbitrator subsequently found the Governor in violation of the contract and ordered him to pay the wages, but the administration appealed.
While Billik found that the state cannot immediately pay more than the appropriated amount, he ruled that this argument does not dissolve the state’s contractual obligation. The state must pay what it can now and make employees whole eventually.
“This ruling is a strong affirmation of the union’s clear and simple position: Employees must be paid the wages they are owed, and a contract cannot be unilaterally discarded,” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said.
Judge Billik had previously ordered the state to preserve and sequester funds available at the end of the 2012 fiscal year, preventing them from lapsing until the case is decided. He has now ordered the Quinn Administration to work with the Comptroller to place those funds in a trust that cannot be accessed except to pay employees what they are owed. Billik will issue a further ruling clarifying how these funds may be disbursed.
Affected employees are those who work for the Illinois Departments of Corrections, Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Natural Resources and Public Health as well as the Human Rights Commission.
“Governor Quinn has wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars with the goal of preventing middle-class public employees from being paid according to their contract and the law,” AFSCME director Bayer said. “We urge the governor to end his wasteful court battle and move forward to pay employees who have waited far too long.”
*** UPDATE *** From the Governor’s office…
The Illinois General Assembly did not appropriate money for raises in its Fiscal Year 12 budget. As the Governor has said repeatedly, the state cannot pay money it does not have the appropriation authority to spend. We will immediately appeal this ruling.
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* I absolutely hate deciding on the best legislative admin assistant awards. I love them all, but they rule the world so I’m scared to death of them (just kidding… kinda).
Kristin Milligan got a whole lot of nominations this time around. Her boss, Skip Saviano, lost his election, so let’s all hope her future is bright and secure. Kristin won last year, so that’s why I chose to give it to someone else - not because she isn’t the best. I just wanted to spread it around a bit.
And even then, I couldn’t decide. So, I’m declaring a tie in the “Beth Hamilton Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Secretary/Admin. Assistant.”
Carol Shehorn…
Have to agree that Carol Shehorn is a “gift” to anyone who works with the House and Leader Currie. It does not matter if it’s perfunctory day, Budget Address Day, committee deadline week or the last in May, Carol goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist people. And she does it with a smile on her face and makes everyone from an intern to a Legislative Leader feel like they are the most important person she will talk to that day. They don’t come any better than Carol.
And Sally McDaniel-Smith…
Sally Smith is unquestionably the best admin in the House. Her patience is astounding. She supports House legal staff with a smile on her face – even though dealing with 12 young lawyers day in and day out is enough to make even the sweetest person near suicidal. Even when deadlines are looming, HWV’s left eyeball is twitching, and everyone is at their wits’ end . . . Sally remarkably remains calm, cool, and collected. There were days I would have nominated her for sainthood – let alone a golden horseshoe.
I truly wish I could give it to every nominee.
* Now, let’s move on to today’s category…
Best Senate Secretary/Admin. Assistant
As always, keep in mind that intensity is all-important here. Nominations without explanations will be ignored.
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* Pantagraph…
After portraying state workers as overpaid and then terminating their union contract, Gov. Pat Quinn now wants them to know he still respects them.
In a letter sent Tuesday to about 49,000 employees under his control, the Chicago Democrat wrote that he wants to work with them to help address the state’s fiscal woes. […]
“Governor Quinn’s latest rhetoric doesn’t match reality,” AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said. “For months he has blamed state employees and retirees for Illinois’ budget problems and lied about their pay, health care and pension benefits.
“If he truly respects their work, he has a funny way of showing it, by trying to lay them off, weaken their bargaining rights and drive down their standard of living,” Lindall added.
* And here’s the e-mail…
Subject: Update: Our efforts to negotiate a new agreement
To all state employees in Illinois:
Throughout my career, I have respected the important work of public employees. Today more than ever I admire your dedication to serve in the midst of often difficult circumstances.
We did not create the unprecedented financial challenges we now face, but working together, we must take the difficult steps necessary to put Illinois back on sound financial footing.
Recently you may have read or heard about the status of bargaining between the administration and AFSCME.
My team continues to negotiate with AFSCME and other unions that represent most state employees with the goal of reaching a fair agreement as soon as possible.
I want to make very clear that my staff has not left the bargaining table. We are meeting again with AFSCME’s team next week. We have made significant efforts to compromise in negotiations, bearing in mind the reality of our unprecedented budget challenges.
I value your hard work, your commitment to the common good and your service to Illinois and its people.
* I also asked AFSCME for a response…
The proof will be in what the administration brings to the table. All year long our proposals have been extremely modest, and in the most recent round of negotiations we moved dramatically. We are seeking only to keep pace with the cost of living over the life of the agreement, while the state’s demands have relentlessly sought to drive down the middle class standard of living of state employees and retirees.
The Quinn administration’s demands reflect its misleading and overblown claims about worker pay, health care and pensions. They are not the basis of a fair agreement. So instead of talking about respect, it’s time to show it, with a new and different proposal at the table next week–one that doesn’t dig into the pockets of state employees, unaffordably driving up their health care costs and undercutting the middle class wages their families depend on.
* By the way, Quinn was booed by AFSCME members today at the Greater Kankakee Airport during an event to announce this…
A major national energy company on Thursday announced a $260 million expansion plan of an existing pipeline in Herscher that will make Kankakee County the center of gas distribution in the northern United States and Canada.
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Report: Serious internal strife at IML
Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Daily Herald reported this week about some major turmoil within the Illinois Municipal League. Fascinating stuff…
Several board members — mainly from the suburbs — are questioning hiring practices, construction projects and financial management of the Springfield-based agency, according to letters and documents obtained by the Daily Herald between League officials and board members of the agency.
“The two biggest issues are the upper level management and personnel issues,” said Woodridge Mayor Bill Murphy, a past president of the League’s board and current member of its executive committee. “Those can be resolved with the timely resignation of Executive Director Larry Frang, who should be allowed to retire with dignity sometime in 2013. Earlier, than later.” […]
In February, a motion to fire Deputy Director Roger Huebner from his $192,474-a-year post was rejected 7-5 by the board’s executive committee.
That vote came on the heels of Huebner’s daughter being hired to a $32,500-a-year post as the League’s media relations specialist, a position that didn’t exist before her hiring. […]
The opposition mayors also expressed concern about more than $720,000 in renovations to the League’s offices in Springfield over the past six years that were not put up for bid.
* And you almost never see public comments like this from another municipal group…
“We’re in the camp of concern,” said Mark Fowler, executive director at the Northwest Municipal Conference that represents more than 40 suburbs in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. “It’s imperative for all organizations like ours to be good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars and that’s the bottom line. I think there are significant questions that some board members have that need to be answered by the organization.”
Go read the whole thing.
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* From a news report dated December 6, 2012…
Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s working “night and day” with other top Illinois leaders on ways to address the critically low water levels on the Mississippi River.
The river covers hundreds of miles of the state’s border and is important to agriculture in Illinois, particularly because many of the state’s products are transported on the river.
The nation’s worst drought in decades has led to low levels. If they worsen, barge operators fear the waterway could become impassable.
* From November 7th, 2012, speaking about pension reform…
Quinn told reporters Wednesday he’ll be “working on that issue night and day.”
* June 15, 2010, at MidAmerica Airport…
“We’ve got to work night and day to keep building this airport,” Quinn said during a dedication ceremony inside a new $5.7 million facility.
* May 3, 2012…
“I look forward to working with the General Assembly night and day to make more progress in the remaining four weeks”
* October 31, 2011, after lawmakers had overridden his veto of the ComEd-backed “smart grid” bill…
“My job as governor is to protect our democracy from being infected by corruption or undue influence by powerful corporations and interests and I plan to do that night and day.
* November 5, 2010, after winning the governor’s race…
“I have to do my job right now as governor,” Quinn said. “I have work to do. I know the people of Illinois want to make sure we get our economy back in stride, and that’s what I focus on night and day.”
* August 17, 2010, after Rod Blagojevich’s conviction…
“We have to work night and day to ensure that government is honest as the people of Illinois.”
Quinn turned to leave, got to his office door, but reporters shouted questions and he turned around. “Allright,” he said, and returned to the podium.
* March 29, 2010, while introducing his new running mate…
Pat Quinn says Sheila Simon’s background in public service; local government and law make her a qualified running mate. Both realize the challenges Illinois faces with its budget billions in the red. “We know there’s a real serious challenge to get our economy back on track and we’re going to work night and day to be able to do that,”
* January 13, 2010 State of the State Address…
“I think in the past year, we’ve worked together, night and day in some cases, to win the trust of the people”
* January 4, 2010…
Quinn resolved to keep working hard to create and protect jobs. “I further resolve to promote economic growth in Illinois by rooting night and day for a Cubs-White Sox World Series,” he added.
* April 3, 2009, after Rod Blagojevich was indicted…
“Today, more than ever, I’m committed to making sure our government has fundamental reform, top to bottom,” he said. “We’re going to work night and day to make sure the government of Illinois is honest and clean.”
* From January 29, 2009, after being sworn in as governor…
By Thursday’s end, Mr. Quinn, who has two years remaining in what is now his term, was issuing a plea for unity.
“It’s extremely important that the people of Illinois come together,” he said at a news conference. “I’m going to be working on that night and day.”
Emphasis added.
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Open thread: NIU Orange Bowl
Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It occurs to me that there may be several NIU grads out there who might want to gloat a bit about the Huskies…
Dave LaCerra’s Mount Prospect basement is covered in Northern Illinois University football memorabilia, including a piece of the goal post from a big 1983 game (in which he played for the NIU Huskies), framed prints, a collection of hats from every NIU bowl game, and game ticket stubs stapled to the ceiling. This week, he added a small Christmas tree decorated with Huskies ornaments.
“I bleed Huskie red,” said LaCerra, 48.
Naturally, LaCerra will be traveling to Miami to watch NIU play Florida State in the Orange Bowl Jan. 1.
Whether there’ll be enough Huskies fans to fill the other 17,499 seats allotted for NIU in Sun Life Stadium remains to be seen. On average, an NIU football game draws about 16,000 fans, a school spokeswoman said. The university has about 22,000 students, along with an estimated 190,000 alumni in the Chicago area alone.
Getting them to the team’s Bowl Championship Series debut isn’t a question of ticket price or availability. Student tickets are free, and non-student tickets start at $75. But booking a last-minute trip to Miami over the New Year’s holiday isn’t cheap, with airfare from Chicago to Miami running around $500 and rooms getting harder to find.
Anybody going?
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Promises, promises
Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Greenfield resident Luke Lamb is one of six finalists to replace retiring state Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville). Lamb described himself to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier as “your local freedom fighter,” and made five promises if he’s appointed. Among them…
“Any campaign funds left in my war chest when I leave office will be donated to charity or to other candidates who support the statehood of Cook County,” Lamb said.
Um, OK. At least we know where he stands.
* But this promise really caught my eye…
Every vote he takes will be posted on a publicly viewable Facebook page, along with an explanation of why he voted that way.
There are often several dozen votes taken in a single day. I don’t think he’s quite clear on that concept, but I suppose it’s a nice thought.
* Doug Coop appears to be the most mainstream of the candidates profiled in the piece…
Coop has packed a lot of experience into his 34 years - everything from small and corporate business, to agriculture, to military and federal public service.
“I think I am more uniquely qualified because I have had such a different experience working in the Department of Defense with tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said the rural Jacksonville resident. “I’ve also got corporate experience working at Caterpillar in Aurora. I have small business and agricultural experience because of the farm I manage with my dad.” […]
“Personally, I think Representative Watson did an outstanding job over the past 10 years. I also think that there is a bit of responsibility on the part of whomever gets the position to see to it that the people of our district get what they paid for. They elected Representative Watson, so they should get a replacement who is similar in his values and experiences.”
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Trotter claims he’s staying in the race
Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* ABC7…
State Senator Donne Trotter is out on bail after being charged with trying to board an aircraft with a gun and ammunition. On Thursday, he spoke about his political intentions.
“I intend on staying in the race at this time and will continue to campaign for the people of the Second District,” Trotter said.
“On advice of my attorney, I can’t respond to any questions addressing what’s going through the court system at this time,” Trotter said. […]
Only days ago, Democratic party insiders told ABC7 that Senator Trotter was the odds-on favorite to win the party’s endorsement to be the replacement for Jesse Jackson Jr. Now that Trotter faces a felony weapons charge, that has clouded his political future. […]
“Until there is something that points to him being guilty, people made promises to him so they are not going to cut and run,” U of I Institute of Government & Public Affairs Professor Cedric Herring said. “They are going to support someone who has the political power.”
* But another university political scientist had this to say…
The charge does not bode well for Trotter’s congressional run, said Jeffrey Hill, chair of the political science department at Northeastern Illinois University.
“For someone who was arguably the front-runner in the campaign, this could only increase the probability he’ll face good competition,” Hill said.
This is a good example of how reporters can find any university “expert” to say whatever the reporters want them to say for their stories. I usually just skip over those sorts of comments, but it’s useful to see the contrast here, for illustrative purposes if nothing else.
* Gov. Pat Quinn was reserved in his comments yesterday…
Gov. Pat Quinn said the fate of a Chicago lawmaker charged with bringing a gun to O’Hare International Airport should play out in the courts.
The governor declined to say Thursday whether state Sen. Donne Trotter should be removed from office.
* Quote of the day…
As he walked down a hallway with his lawyers, he told one reporter that he doesn’t give a flying whatever you ask me. When asked if he is still running, Trotter said “from you.”
* Meanwhile, Phil Kadner reports that Trotter may have violated a city ordinance…
(A)ccording to the Chicago Police Department, while Trotter did have a firearm owners identification card, required by state law, and a permanent employee registration card, required to work as a security guard or private detective, he did not register his handgun in Chicago.
“Even police officers who live in Chicago are required to register their guns,” a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said.
“Anyone who lives in the city and owns a gun is required to register that gun.”
* But the NRA’s Todd Vandermyde had this to say in comments about the issue…
The city tried forcing private security and detectives to do that [register their guns], it went to court and they lost. they came back to the legislature and tried to change the law and it went nowhere. The City spokesman is wrong.
* Roundup…
* Hotline Sort: Scorecard for Illinois-02 Special Election
* Arrest Not Derailing Trotter’s Plans to Replace JJJr
* Arrest raises questions on Trotter’s job at security firm with city deal
* Quinn: Trotter’s fate should be left to courts
* State senator in O’Hare gun case freed on bond
* Mitchell: Where is Sandi Jackson?
* Former Cissna Park village clerk arrested
* Person On The Street - Westbound on Madison Street from Austin to Central: In light of the bank fraud indictment against state Rep. LaShawn Ford, do you think he should resign his seat or fight to the end?
* Ford says he’ll fight bank fraud charges, supporters mount defense - Indicted state rep heads to court next week
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Words of wisdom
Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica) writes a folksy, conversational weekly column for his local newspapers and always sends me a copy. His latest is partly about the crush of upcoming legislation in the January lame duck session…
I receive hundreds of emails, and as I have often shared, Sally receives them first. She gets rid of the junk mail and prints what I should see on hard copy, then I write my response and she sends it on.
Arguably, thousands have come in this past week about these issues. The easy ones to answer are the ones you’ve received from various groups and told to send on to your legislators.
Come on folks, use a little imagination. Almost a thousand identically worded emails are easy to respond to. I write one response, Sally sends it on. Tell me what you really think. I need your honest thoughts, not what some agency wants you to forward to your legislators.
Sending a form letter to a legislator is a good way to be ignored. It just doesn’t work except in the aggregate, I suppose. And even then, it probably doesn’t work all that well.
And I’d say the same thing about comments here. Elevate yourselves, people. This ain’t no newspaper website.
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This just in…
Thursday, Dec 6, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 12:51 pm - Thanks to a commenter for the Tribune link…
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke in January, plans to return to the Senate floor on Jan. 3, the first day of the new Congress, Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., said Thursday.
A Senate official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the return date and said it would be marked by a “significant event” with Kirk walking up the Capitol steps to the chamber.
Hultgren said there were plans for a “big party and celebration when he comes back,” and that lawmakers from Illinois may gather in or near the Senate chamber to welcome him.
“I’m just really excited,” he said. “ I’m so grateful for the recovery he’s been able to make.”
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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards
Thursday, Dec 6, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Best restaurant goes to Sebastian’s this year…
Awesome food, love the atmosphere especially in the lower level, and the servers there rock
The Hideout downstairs is definitely a whole lot of fun.
* Runner-up is Saputo’s…
You have to give it to the restaurant that reserves the same table for Speaker Madigan to eat there regularly.
* Best political bar this year is DH Brown’s…
At one time mostly Republican, but in the last few years more Dems have joined the party there which really makes for more interesting and vibrant political commentary. Definitely on the upswing again as a political hang out for both parties. Also great prices for an honest drink.
* Runner-up is JP Kelly’s…
I think JP Kelly deserves it this year. There has always business whenever I go in there. Young staffers and seasoned vets. I’ve also seen more Springfield political types there than anywhere else.
* OK, now let’s move on to today’s category…
* The Beth Hamilton Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Secretary/Admin. Assistant
This topic usually draws some of the most comments, so we’ll do the Senate tomorrow.
Remember, intensity rules the day, not vote counts. Your explanation matters. If you don’t explain your vote, it won’t be counted.
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* Public Policy Polling asked Illinoisans about whether two imprisoned former governors should be pardoned. They don’t want it…
Do you think President Obama should pardon former Governor Rod Blagojevich, or not?
He should……………………………………………….. 15%
He should not………………………………………….. 75%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
Do you think President Obama should pardon former Governor George Ryan, or not?
He should……………………………………………….. 20%
He should not………………………………………….. 70%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
* Meanwhile, I was a bit surprised by the large number of Illinoisans who don’t have an opinion of US Sen. Mark Kirk in the latest PPP poll…
Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Mark Kirk’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 34%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 19%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 47%
Kirk has been mostly out of the public eye for months because of his stroke which is undoubtedly contributing to the results.
* But this is just silly stuff…
If the candidates for Senate in 2016 were Democrat Michelle Obama and Republican Mark Kirk, who would you vote for?
Michelle Obama………………………………………. 51%
Mark Kirk………………………………………………… 40%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Mrs. Obama has made absolutely no moves whatsoever toward this race, which is four years away, for crying out loud.
* From the pollster…
If Michelle Obama decided she wanted to follow the Hillary Clinton route once her husband leaves office in 2016 and go to the Senate, she’d have the upper hand on Mark Kirk. She leads him 51/40 in a hypothetical head to head. Kirk’s approval numbers are ok with 34% of voters approving of him to 19% who disapprove. But those numbers are no match for the first lady, who’s seen positively by 60% of voters to 33% with a negative
one.
* On a lighter note, there aren’t a lot of Rams fans in Illinois…
Is your favorite NFL team the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, or St. Louis Rams?
Bears …………………………………………………….. 63%
Cowboys………………………………………………… 1%
Packers………………………………………………….. 10%
Colts ……………………………………………………… 2%
Patriots ………………………………………………….. 1%
Giants ……………………………………………………. 1%
Steelers………………………………………………….. 4%
Rams …………………………………………………….. 2%
Someone else/Don’t have a favorite team …… 17%
* And Cutler gets a plurality of support…
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jay Cutler?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 41%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 15%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 45%
* Democrats and independents like him more than Republicans do…
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* Public Policy Polling’s recent Illinois survey asked Illinoisans about gay marriage. A plurality supported it…
Do you think same-sex marriage should be allowed in Illinois, or not?
It should …………………………………………………. 47%
It should not ……………………………………………. 42%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%
* From the pollster…
In Illinois even though there’s only narrow overall support for same sex marriage the numbers are 58% for and 37% against among voters under 45, another sign that it’s just a matter of time given the big generational divide on the issue. Black voters, perhaps following the lead of President Obama, think it should be legal by a 60/16 spread. That’s a much wider margin than we see with them nationally
* More from the crosstabs. A plurality of men oppose the idea…
* Republicans strongly oppose it and independents are less opposed…
* A majority of whites oppose it…
* Seniors are more likely to oppose the concept than any other age group…
* And even though there are no binding ballot initiatives in Illinois, a large majority thinks the public ought to vote on the idea…
Do you think Illinois voters should be allowed to vote on whether they think same-sex marriage should be legal, or not?
Voters should be allowed to………………………. 68%
They should not ………………………………………. 19%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 13%
Discuss.
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*** UPDATE *** Bail was set at $25,000…
Trotter, who spent the night at Chicago Police Department lockup, was released around 1:10 p.m. He had to post 10 percent or $2,500 to bail out of jail.
A reporter asked Trotter if he was still running. The South Side lawmaker responded: “From you.”
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* The state law that Sen. Donne Trotter is charged with violating…
It is unlawful for any person to board or attempt to board any commercial or charter aircraft, knowingly having in his or her possession any firearm, explosive of any type, or other lethal or dangerous weapon.
I highlighted that one word for obvious reasons. To convict him of a Class 4 felony, the Cook County State’s Attorney has to prove that Trotter knowingly had that pistol in his garment bag. Trotter contends that he forgot the empty pistol and a loaded clip were in the bag.
He did, however, vote for that law, so he should’ve been more careful than the average citizen. He knew the penalties.
…Adding… According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, the language in that above statute was actually first enacted in 1990. It was simply moved to a different part of the statute books. Trotter, however, did vote to increase the penalty to a felony from a misdemeanor in 2002.
* Also, there was a bunch of talk in comments yesterday and in at least one Sun-Times blog post about Trotter’s long ago opposition to concealed carry - as if that somehow applied here. He wasn’t carrying the pistol on his person. Apples and oranges.
But he certainly has voted against some pro-gun bills and voted for some gun control bills, even though he recently voted to override the governor’s attempt to use an amendatory veto to create a new assault weapons ban. Todd Vandermyde of the NRA defended Trotter repeatedly in comments yesterday. For instance…
It was a mistake, and the question is should he have is life ruined for a mistake?
Senator Trotter has had a mixed record on guns but with his new district that stretches down into Kankakee, he has kept an open mind.
I think the Sun times article is a hit piece devoid of context and taken from 1995. It’s 2012/13 I’m sure nobody ever changes their minds.
And…
I see a difference between someone who didn’t “know” the gun was there and someone trying to evade security and sneak one on.
* But Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez recently charged a 65 year-old flight attendant with a felony for doing almost the same thing as Trotter...
An attorney for the American Airlines flight attendant arrested at O’Hare International Airport said the woman did not know there was a gun in her carry-on luggage.
Sheila A. Schultz, of Palatine, Ill., was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail Saturday for allegedly trying to bring a gun onto an airplane at O’Hare International Airport. She was arrested Friday after an X-ray machine revealed the gun in her carry on luggage.
Defense attorney David Studenroth told the Associated Press the woman’s husband inadvertently left the fully loaded .22 caliber revolver in the bag and that Schultz had no idea it was there when she went through the O’Hare security checkpoint.
Schultz, 65, was arrested and charged with one class 4 felony count of attempting to board aircraft with a weapon and one misdemeanor count of of possessing a firearm without a valid FOID.
* More…
Schultz was heading to work that morning, scheduled to be on a flight to Shanghai, China, Studenroth said. She was passing through an O’Hare security checkpoint for employees when an X-ray machine detected something in her carry-on bag. A security worker allegedly recovered a .22-caliber revolver containing live rounds and held her for Chicago police.
“She was unaware that the handgun was in that bag,” Studenroth explained. “Her husband forgot to take it out.”
Her husband, who does possess a valid FOID card, had come back from a trip to Michigan. “They share the bag,” Studenroth said.
According to Studenroth, the statute says someone must commit the act “knowingly.”
“She did not knowingly possess that handgun,” he said.
* Meanwhile, the political damage to Trotter’s congressional campaign is pretty obvious, but his most important supporter is not backing away…
“I need to sit down and talk to him face to face and find out what exactly happened,” said Frank Zuccarelli, who is chairing the effort to slate a candidate for the 2nd congressional district. The special election to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. is scheduled for February and the field is growing by the day. Before his arrest, Trotter, who lives on the South Side, was thought to be a top-tier candidate.
Zuccarelli, who is the committeeman for Thornton Township, has publicly said he would back Trotter during slating. So far on Wednesday, that hadn’t changed.
“I am supporting him and he is my friend, I’m sure there is a good explanation for what happened,” said Zuccarelli. He said he had only communicated with Trotter by text. Trotter let him know he had been arrested. “We have to sit down and talk…I’m sure he’s together, Donne’s together. I’ve got confidence in him, he’s a good man.”
The head of the Cook County Democratic Party, Joe Berrios, said ultimately it would be up to Trotter to decide if he’s going to pull out of the race.
* More…
Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who used represent part of the district Trotter is seeking to represent, said it could hurt Trotter’s chances in the race.
“As far as political, the people of the district and the party leaders have to make a decision to put a person with this kind of baggage in the answer in the Second District,” Kinzinger said.
One political analyst says while this arrest might not derail his campaign, it doesn’t help in a district that has already seen more than its share of controversial candidates.
“One doesn’t understand how one can go on a plane this day and age,” the Director of the Institute for Politics at Roosevelt University Paul Green said. “It will be used as an argument against him. It’s something he did but not a knock out.”
Trotter campaign slogans?
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No, they didn’t reject the idea
Thursday, Dec 6, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Today’s Tribune headline…
Unions reject plans for pension overhaul
Reporters don’t write headlines, but that one is particularly misleading.
I posted it late yesterday, so maybe you didn’t see it, but here’s the statement from the We Are One Coalition on the new pension reform proposal backed by 21 rank and file House members in both parties…
“We appreciate lawmakers’ latest attempt to move the pension conversation forward. As we have consistently stated, the We Are One Illinois coalition stands ready to work collaboratively toward a solution.
We were not consulted in the development of this plan, but our preliminary review suggests that there are significant problems with HB 6258 that need to be worked through. The pension debt was caused by the state’s failure to make actuarially adequate pension contributions, not by public employees, but like its predecessors, this proposal essentially balances the pension debt on the backs of teachers, police officers, nurses, caregivers, and other public servants both active and retired. It is also unclear at this juncture whether this proposal is constitutionally or actuarially sound.
We intend to thoroughly analyze this proposal’s elements and provide a more comprehensive response in the coming weeks.”
Neither the tone nor the substance of that release indicates outright rejection. If anything, it indicates a strong willingness to work out the problems. And the sponsors of the measure said this was only a “framework.” Things can be changed.
* More hopeful signs…
The move comes as Gov. Pat Quinn presses legislators to send him legislation to cut pension costs. His spokeswoman welcomed the legislation as a step forward.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, gave his support to the plan because it represents a comprehensive pension overhaul — a standard he’s used when supporting other pension proposals, said Steve Brown, the speaker’s spokesman.
House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego was more cautious, saying he liked some components but was not ready to sign on to the whole package. “It’s got the discussion going again,” Cross said.
The proposal contains a provision similar to one pushed by Madigan to shift the costs of suburban and downstate teacher pensions from the state to school districts. Some lawmakers are concerned that would lead to higher property taxes. But Rep. David Harris, an Arlington Heights Republican who is a co-sponsor of the bill, said school officials in his legislative district have signaled they may be able to absorb higher costs if stretched over many years.
* Another hopeful sign is that the Tribune editorial board didn’t resort to its usual demands to punish public employees and retirees with harsh pension measures. Instead, the paper looked at the bigger picture…
A group of 21 Illinois lawmakers filed a new pension reform bill Wednesday and hosted a news conference to unveil it. That may not sound like much. But given Springfield’s do-little history on this issue, it’s encouraging — not because of who headlined the news conference, but because of who didn’t: Gov. Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno.
That quintet has been unable for years to build consensus on pension reform and lead a revolution. We’re hopeful this rump group of lawmakers can and will. This we know: For the first time, 21 rank-and-file sponsors and co-sponsors are stepping forward, declaring that they want to get serious on pension reform. They’re not waiting for Quinn and the four legislative leaders to cut a deal. They’re dealing.
Several of these members expressed impatience with the slow pace of progress. State Rep. David Harris, R-Arlington Heights, said there has been “a genuine frustration by lawmakers that there have not been meaningful negotiations.” State Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, added, “We must act now.”
We’ll take the liberty of reading between the lines: This group, all House members, wants a vote on this bill, or an amended version, before Jan. 9 when newly-elected legislators are sworn in. Good for them. We don’t see their initiative as a rebellious act against their leaders. It does, though, starkly highlight the failure of Quinn and the four leaders to solve the pension crisis.
* But…
“The cost shift is problematic. I don’t want to be critical of this,” House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) told the Chicago Sun-Times, referring to the Nekritz-Biss plan. “But I do think there are a few constitutional issues here.”
An aide to Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) also registered questions about how the idea stacks up to Illinois’ Constitution, which bars state pensions from being “diminished or impaired.”
“The Senate president is encouraged that members are identifying ways to capture the local share of pension costs from local school districts,” Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said. “However, the larger proposal appears to impose unilateral pension reductions without offering voluntary acceptance by participants. We appreciate the efforts of Representative Nekritz and her colleagues, but we will take a closer look at the plan to see if it can be squared with the pension clause.”
Nekritz said it’s difficult to judge whether the plan she and the rank-and-file lawmakers put together — or any pension cutback plan — will pass constitutional muster.
“We looked at a lot of the opinions that are out there with regard to constitutionality, and I just don’t think any of us standing here today . . . can know in advance what seven Supreme Court justices will do,” she told reporters. “All any of us can do is put our best foot forward to make sure we give them something to say, ‘Yes, we think this is constitutional.’”
* Related…
* Cost savings of proposed Illinois pension reform plan are unclear
* Illinois Pension Reform: State Lawmakers Unveil New Plan To Fix Underfunded System
* Illinois lawmakers pitch pension fix
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