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This just in… Senate to take up resolution that turns thumbs down on Madigan’s budget

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

[This update from below has been given its own post.]

* - 12:24 pm - As I told subscribers this morning, the Senate Democrats talked privately yesterday about running a resolution that rejects the budget passed by the House last month.

The Senate appears poised to run this resolution today. The Senate Republicans have requested a brief caucus, so the debate will begin at 12:45 or so.

You can read the resolution here.

* 12:27 pm - The Senate resolution (SR 258) would be essentially the same thing that House Speaker Michael Madigan did to the governor’s gross receipts tax. The House, you will recall, passed a resolution that rejected the tax hike. And today, the Senate may reject Madigan’s budget.

Madigan has repeated time and time again that the House has passed a budget. The object is to take this argument away from him. Since the House budget is still on hold via a parliamentary procedure, the Senate can’t vote on the actual document yet.

* 12:52 pm - You can listen or watch the Senate debate here.

The Republicans don’t appear to have returned from caucus yet.

* 1:00 pm - The Senate is now back in session.

From the resolution…

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1132, as amended by the House of Representatives, includes appropriations for expenditures that exceed available revenue estimates and therefore does not meet the requirements contained in subsection (b) of Section 2 of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Illinois; […]

…does not include appropriations to meet the rising costs associated with providing assistance to Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, including senior citizens, for needs related to healthcare, prescription drugs, and the mental health and developmentally disabled population; […]

…does not provide for a sustainable means to reduce or to maintain the current cycle of payments made to Medicaid providers, specifically for physicians that provide services under the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Program; and

…does not appropriate funds to satisfy the Fiscal Year 2008 pension obligation contribution level certified by the individual State retirement systems; […]

…therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that those voting ‘aye‘ on this resolution are voting to reject Senate Bill 1132 as amended by the House of Representatives, and those voting ‘no‘ on this resolution are voting to support the proposed budget for the State of Illinois for Fiscal Year 2008 that begins on July 1, 2007, as detailed in House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 1132…

* 1:08 pm - The governor’s plane appears to be landing now. He’s late for the leaders meeting, which was supposed to start at one o’clock. But it looks like Senate President Emil Jones will be late as well, considering the debate on this resolution. He’ll likely have a nice arrival gift for the governor, however.

* 1:11 pm - Sen. Trotter, the resolution’s sponsor and the Senate Dems’ top budget guy, is now going through the problems he sees with the House-approved budget.

* 1:14 pm - Sen. Radogno: “We’re wasting a lot of time on a resolution that is absolutely meaningless” as far as resolving the budget gridlock.

* 1:17 pm - Radogno says she will vote “No,” to “send a message” that she isn’t in favor of this “gamesmanship.” Previously, Sen. Randy Hultgren had said he would also vote “No.”

According to the resolution, a “No” vote means support for the House bill. But the Republicans are using a “No” vote to express their opposition to the “gamesmanship” - a term that has been used several times so far.

* 1:22 pm - Cronin: “This process is shameful. It’s frivolous, it’s childish… The process is supposed to call on us to be responsible… We’re not taking our responsibilities seriously… I’m ashamed to be part of it and I’m voting ‘No.’”

* 1:26 pm - The Republicans have asked twice now why the Democrats haven’t just proposed their own counter-proposal to Madigan’s budget.

Trotter: It would be inappropriate to throw a budget on the table at this point because negotiations are ongoing.

* 1:29 pm - Sen. Hendon: Cronin, you should simply resign if you feel you aren’t doing enough here.

“What would you have us do, just lay down like little puppy dogs for Mike Madigan?”

“We’re not laying down for Mike Madigan… We’re not a rubber stamp… We are the House of Lords, they are the House of Commons… We shall not be led by the House of Commons.”

* 1:33 pm - Willie Delgado, who has occasionally expressed solidarity with Madigan this year (Delgado came over from the House) and has publicly broken with Senate President Jones on several occasions, is now excoriating the Madigan budget as woefully inadequate.

* 1:47 pm - Marty Sandoval: “It’s easy to cast stones today at a budget that was passed by the House of Representatives. It’s a very difficult day and a shameful day for the people on the Southwest Side of Chicago because they have no budget… Nor will they have one tomorrow… We have not resolved the crisis that relates to electrical rates… We have not discussed the crisis of public transportation… We have not discussed property tax relief… I am not prepared to vote on any budget, whether it’s the House budget or any temporary budget, or any two-month budget, or any six-month budget that doesn’t take care [of those issues]… This Senate resolution is either a manifestation of (massive?) testicular virility or a lack of it…”

* 1:51 pm - Carol Ronen: “It’s never a game when you’re standing up for what you believe in… We’re setting the tone for the negotiations for the next ten days.”

* 2:01 pm - Mike Jacobs just took a swipe at Rep. Mike Boland. He asked Sen. Trotter how much money was in the budget to operate Thompson prison, noting that Boland, one of his state Reps., voted for the budget. The answer was that the approp line was the same as the current fiscal year, which means it is a cut.

* 2:06 pm - AP Analysis: Blagojevich flights cost taxpayers $76,000…

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has spent $76,000 on taxpayer-financed flights between Chicago and Springfield since late May.

* 2:07 pm - Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson: Today’s move shows “we’re a long, long way” from resolving the budget dispute.

Watson called for a vote on the gross receipts tax because the governor keeps bringing it up in the negotiations.

“There’s just no leadership. There’s none. There’s none.”

* 2:14 pm - Senate President Jones: “I’ve been waiting all session for this demonstration by the minority leader… I enjoy it.”

The resolution is designed to “send a clear signal that we should be in serious, serious budget negotiations. The Speaker did say that this is the high-water mark. It’s really the low-water mark.”

“We have patience, we can wait.”

“Real” problem with House budget: Pension contributions aren’t budgeted in the bill, so the education spending increase won’t be funded because the pension payments come right off the top.

“They need to know today that this is it. That when you sit down, sit down and be sincere as it relates to health care, education, cutting bilingual, cutting meals on wheels…”

“Sometimes I wonder what happens in the House as it relates to the members. Do they read? But you [Republicans] support that!”

“We are not playing games. Games have already been played.”

“This resolution sends a clear message, that the high-water budget that they talked about is really a low-water budget that the Senate is going to reject. And if that budget got over here and was called for a vote, I believe most of you on the other side of the aisle would probably vote for it.”

“It’s been a dull session until today. I was waiting for the papers to fly, the theatrics, playing to the cheers of the crowd.. Not sincere, not sincere whatsoever, but (they) want to play those… stupid political games.”

“When the agreement is made, I want to see you on the other side of the aisle, especially your leader say ‘I can support this.’”

* 2:26 pm - Vote: 33-19-2 [Lightford said her “Yes” button wasn’t working properly, so it’s 34.]

The roll call will be available here in a few minutes.

* 2:31 pm - The Senate is adjourning until next Tuesday.

* 2:33 pm - All Senate committees have been canceled today.

* 2:34 pm - The Senate has officially adjourned until Tuesday at noon.

* 2:49 pm -Democrats Munoz and Sandoval both voted “Present.” Sen. Viverito is not here this week.

* 5:45 pm - Here are the audio clips following today’s leaders meeting:

Speaker Madigan
[audio:Madigan20th.mp3]

President Jones
[audio:Emil20th.mp3]

Minority Leader Cross
[audio:Cross20th.mp3]

101 Comments

This just in…

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

[I’ve removed the 12:24 pm update and started a new post here. Continue discussing other items mentioned in this post.]

* 11:02 am - The governor’s plane was initially scheduled to take off at 10 o’clock today, but it appears the vessel won’t be wheels up until noon. As I told you earlier, the leaders meeting is supposed to start at 1 o’clock, so he’ll be cutting it close.

* 11:08 am - While we’re waiting for the leaders meeting to start and the House and Senate to get going (listen to Senate here and the House here), let’s take a look at a couple of new websites.

* The Senate Republicans have revamped their site. Looks pretty good. What do you think?

* The Illinois Republican Party has a new website called We Are Illinois.

* 11:20 am - Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will be the keynote speaker at the Taxpayers Federation annual meeting today at noon in Chicago. Since he may criticize the governor’s tax proposals again, the speech might get some coverage.

* 11:35 am - The governor has signed legislation into law which would move the primary date up to the first Tuesday in February. The bill passed both chambers last month, but wasn’t transmitted to his desk until last week. The legislation can be found here. [Hat tip to a commenter.]

* 11:44 am - Senate is convening now.

* 11:47 am - Orders are slowing down a bit for our charity project, most likely because I haven’t been promoting it much this week. If you haven’t ordered something yet, please get yourself over there and buy something. Thanks.

[I’ve removed the 12:24 pm update and started a new post here. Continue discussing other items mentioned in this post.]

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Kotowski says he received death threats; Poll Numbers (Use all caps in password) *** Updated x2 ***

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

I think we did something like this last year, but I’ll ask it again because it’s summer.

Are you planning a vacation to any Illinois spots this year? Where and why?

38 Comments

Another disaster

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Yesterday’s leaders meeting didn’t even broach the subject of the state budget…

With Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes warning of financial upheaval if the state’s budget impasse continues much longer, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders resumed their talks.

They did not talk about the budget. […]

“It was another show-and-tell meeting,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “There was no discussion about adoption of a budget for the state of Illinois.” We’re beginning to wonder when any of these meetings are going to find their way to a discussion of adopting a budget.”

“Did it move the ball forward on the budget? No,” said House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego. “It’s hard for me to speculate on why we are doing these types of presentations. We need to start having a hard-core discussion about how we are going to balance the budget.” […]

“I just don’t see where the realism has sunk in yet with the governor as to where we truly are in the process,” said Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson of Greenville. “No gross-receipts tax. No massive new programs. We have to live within our means, and that’s not something he’s willing to accept at this point.”

* Instead, as I told you yesterday, the leaders spent all their time talking about the governor’s health insurance plan, including brief comments by former congressman Dick Gephardt…

Gephardt’s group is a coalition of labor union officials, insurance executives and others who argue that universal heath care is not only sound social policy, but an important economic issue. Inside the closed-door meeting, participants said, Gephardt helped open discussion of health care, but then turned it over to experts who were on hand.

“He just gave introductory comments about the importance of health care and working at the national level,” said Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville. He said Gephardt left the room after his remarks.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, was more charitable about the contributions of his fellow Democrat. “He’s a very strong advocate,” Madigan said.

But Madigan maintained his stance that Blagojevich’s health care plan isn’t fiscally realistic.

Watson and other leaders in both parties have expressed frustration at the pace of the budget talks. They’ve accused Blagojevich of turning the meetings into lobbying sessions for goals that are effectively dead this year, instead of making headway on practical issues impeding a budget agreement.

* Things didn’t go well at all yesterday…

“I don’t see this really being productive at all. I told the governor that when we left. ‘Why don’t we talk about realistic issues like the budget?” said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson

“It’s not the normal way we handle budget negotiations,” House Minority Leader Tom Cross added.

As he exited the Statehouse on Tuesday, Gephardt downplayed the fact the Democrats who control state government can’t come to an agreement on a spending plan.

“I was a leader of the Democrats in the House. I guess you could have said we were dysfunctional, too,” Gephardt said.

* Meanwhile, the SJ-R takes a hard look at Speaker Madigan’s budget proposal. It’s definitely worth a read…

As budget negotiations trundle on between the governor and the four legislative leaders, Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, has reiterated that the House has already passed a slow-growth budget that would increase spending by $800 million - about 1.5 percent. Even though Madigan has acknowledged that the House budget is at least $600 million short of what’s needed for the full year, speculation has grown that it may be the only solution - albeit a temporary one - to the current deadlock.

That’s not good news, say advocates for the state’s children, senior citizens, disabled and lower-income residents.

“You end up getting what you pay for, unfortunately,” said the Rev. Jennifer Kottler, deputy director of Protestants for the Common Good.

The House budget, which is being held in that chamber on a parliamentary maneuver, essentially holds spending for social services at current levels, Kottler said.

* The leaders meeting today is set for 1 o’clock. It looks as though the guv’s plane is on its way to O’Hare and is scheduled to leave Chicago at 10 am. Track it in comments.

* Audio from after the leaders meeting…

* Speaker Madigan…

[audio:Madigan19th.mp3]

* Leader Cross…

[audio:Cross19th.mp3]

* Leader Watson…

[audio:Watson19th.mp3]

* Dep. Governor Nix…

[audio:Nix19th.mp3]

* Dick Gephardt…

[audio:Dick19th.mp3]

20 Comments

Hello There *** Updated x1 ***

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I made sure I was around yesterday when Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen walked into the Statehouse.

Nielsen said he had heard about the Capitol Fax article I had written about his visit and the stuff I had posted here, which he jokingly referred to as “that slime blog.”

I told him that nobody appeared to understand the headline on a budget story yesterday entitled “Clock Strikes Ten,” a reference to the Cheap Trick song of the same name. He glanced at the headline on his copy of the Capitol Fax and deadpanned: “I don’t get it.”

* Aaron Chambers, of the Rockford Register-Star, had the best lede…

Rick Nielsen entered the Capitol like the rock star he is: A flashy man in a zebra-stripe jacket, trademark ball cap and dark sunglasses — but he had to remove his jewelry to clear a metal detector at the front door. Officially, Nielsen was there to commemorate a resolution introduced Tuesday by Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, to proclaim April 1 “Cheap Trick Day” in Illinois. But his appearance was more of a midday party for his fans.

The Cheap Trick guitarist and Rockford native was off with a bang. For the next two hours Tuesday, he shook Illinois government free from its traditional decorum with a never-ending stream of wisecracks about sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll and criminal activity.

The 60-year-old rocker charmed state officials, lawmakers, legislative staff and bystanders during his first visit to the Capitol. He hugged most everybody who walked by and stood for photos with the hordes of people who lined up for a glimpse.

* But check out how the RR-Star and the State Journal-Register, both GateHouse papers, played the end of Chambers’ piece…

* SJ-R - On his way out of the Capitol, Nielsen stopped for a private meeting with Syverson in the senator’s office. When he emerged, he made a scene of coughing as if the two of them had just smoked reefer.

* RR-S - …When he emerged, he made a scene of coughing as if the two of them had been smoking … something illicit.

I asked him earlier whether drummer Bunn E. Carlos still smoked.

“Not cigarettes.”

Cigars?

“No.”

* Reporters did get in a few policy questions, but he dodged them pretty well…

Nielsen, who still lives in Rockford, was asked if he thought it’d be a good idea for Rockford to have a casino.

“Personally? I don’t gamble … except playing in the music business and that’s enough of a gamble. So I’ll leave it at that,” Nielsen said. “How’s that sound for a Springfield answer?”

He was also asked about the lack of a state budget.

“You know, I gave them the rest of the day off to figure the crap out, I can’t help that.”

* More on the visit…

The chamber, where senators must wear coats and ties on the Senate floor, waived the rules for Nielsen, who appeared in sort of a zebra-striped sport coat, a T-shirt, tennis shoes and, of course, sunglasses. […]

To the delight and applause of senators, Nielsen pulled off another patented stage trick: He dipped into his pockets and threw fistfuls of guitar picks at the senators and their staff — and even a few into a press box.

“I know that’s probably very, very bad to do, but I’m only here today,” Nielsen said. “So I don’t care.”

* Audio…

* Sen. Syverson & Nielsen addressing the full Senate (courtesy of Metro Networks)…

[audio:CTsenate.mp3]

* Nielsen with reporters after the presentation…

[audio:CTafter.mp3]

* A few pics follow. The first one is Nielsen laying on the floor looking up at the Statehouse dome…

*** UPDATE *** I didn’t realize that I was on the front page of the State Journal-Register today…

26 Comments

Secrets and lies

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As you already know, the Sun-Times broke the story yesterday that Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has cancer. Stroger abruptly announced he was going to the hospital for a procedure, but his people wouldn’t talk about it on the record until after the paper ran its scoop.

I’m told that Stroger kept the information about his cancer a secret from his family and close friends, as well as the rest of us. We can only hope that he has learned a valuable lesson from all of this.

[Todd Stroger spokeswoman Ibis Antongiorgi] said Stroger “is committed to being as open as possible,” drawing chuckles from media, given the lack of information officially provided so far.

That left commissioners delicately trying to express both sympathy and a sense of betrayal, as they have struggled to understand many of the moves Stroger has made since he took office in December and his public relations strategy. […]

Many of the commissioners endured similar treatment last year, as they and the public were repeatedly assured that Stroger’s father, board President John Stroger, would recover just fine from what turned out to be a devastating and career-ending stroke.

* The Tribune focused on how he had withheld the information from voters during the election, but provided a glance behind the scenes that appears to confirm that Stroger kept the cancer revelation to himself…

County Commissioner William Beavers (D-Chicago), who is one of Stroger’s closest political advisers, said he only learned of Stroger’s cancer a couple of days ago.

* And Carol Marin makes a very good point [emphasis in original]…

So Todd Stroger’s burden, in addition to battling this challenge to his health, is to be different.

It is terribly important for him and for his family that he get better.

But it is just as important for the people he serves that he be better.

* Somewhat related…

* County may raise taxes after hospital chief calls for help

* Health bureau chief says patients will die

12 Comments

Morning Shorts

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* TV competition measure goes to governor

* IL legislature votes to open up pay TV market

* State Senate approves cable bill

* State Senate greenlights cable bill

* Cable competition bill passes

* Senate approves AT&T foray into cable

* Editorial: Free Ma Bell

* Opinion: McQueary’s tax analysis ‘dead on’

* Sun-Times Editorial: Reform ‘pay to play’ or we’ll all pay later

It’s clear most lawmakers want to approve something, and the competing versions of the idea aren’t so different that compromise would be impossible. If they are sincere about demonstrating that Illinois government is not for sale, then there’s no excuse for not passing this legislation.

* Higher speed limit for trucks needs green light from governor

* School’s use of camera assailed

The IEA and local teachers union contend that the video surveillance violated the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act and may also be in violation of state and federal laws governing illegal taping of individuals without permission.

* Daley picks up award, some flak

Daley, however, also got an earful from the senior Republican on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, who used a Tribune report to club him on the efficacy of Chicago’s “green” initiatives.

* The nation’s Springfields vie to host Simpson’s premiere

* Carpentersville OKs English-only law

7 Comments

This just in…

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 1:11 pm - The AT&T cable TV bill just flew out of the Senate, 54-0-1. It now goes to the governor.

* 1:17 pm - The Senate has adjourned. Paul will have Rick Nielsen audio and photos soon.

*1:38 pm - Here is the audio from Rick Nielsen; photos will be up shortly. Thanks to Tom from Metro Networks for the clip from inside the chamber.

Sen. Syverson & Nielsen addressing the full Senate

[audio:CTsenate.mp3]

Nielsen with reporters after the presentation

[audio:CTafter.mp3]

* 1:55 pm - Alice Cooper is playing the DuQuoin State Fair this year.

* 2:28 pm - Dick Gephardt will be one of the featured speakers at the governor’s dog and pony show for the legislative leaders.

* 3:15 pm - AG Madigans appeal of the FOIA case has been turned down. Madigan wanted to represent Guv Blagojevich in a FOIA case seeking to compel his office to release federal subpoenas. The courts have ruled it woud’ve been a conflict since her office already advised the guv to release the info.

* 5:25 pm - The leaders meeting just ended. Audio later.

* 6:10 pm - Audio from after the leaders meeting:

Speaker Madigan

[audio:Madigan19th.mp3]

Leader Cross

[audio:Cross19th.mp3]

Leader Watson

[audio:Watson19th.mp3]

Dep. Governor Nix

[audio:Nix19th.mp3]

Dick Gephardt

[audio:Dick19th.mp3]

33 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - DeJaegher; Coulson; Brady; Trucks; Boland; Tusk; Hallucinogenic (Use all caps in password)

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Who would be your ideal Illinois governor? Explain.

93 Comments

Hynes stirs controversy *** Updated x1 ***

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sen. Donne Trotter, who handles the budget for the Senate Democrats, is not pleased with Comptroller Dan Hynes’ warnings of a budget “meltdown” next month if the powers that be don’t get their acts together soon. We discussed the Hynes memo yesterday.

“I think it’s a lot of hyperbole on his part. I think he’s being disingenuous and also irresponsible,” said State Sen. Donne Trotter, (D) Chicago.

The chairman of the senate budget committee says there is plenty of time for a deal.

* And, in the same story, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who was dissed by the governor last week, explained that Blagojevich’s initial budget plan was so ambitious that it’s tough to reach an agreement that can be acceptable to the guv and a three-fifths majority in both chambers…

“I think that he was really asking the legislature and the public to bite off a whole lot more than we are comfortable chewing,” said State Rep. Barbara Flynn Curie, (D) Chicago.

* Meanwhile, last week the Daily Herald tried to get the comptroller’s office to talk about the possibility of a government shutdown and was flatly rebuffed…

Hynes spokeswoman Carol Knowles wouldn’t say when millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded state payroll are due out in July. For that matter, she wouldn’t provide the dates for when state payroll was mailed in April, May or this month either. She essentially wouldn’t answer any question about when the office does anything.

Instead, Knowles said she’d be “delighted” to discuss the topic – “next week.” Similarly, a message left with Hynes’ communications director Alan Henry wasn’t returned.

* And the State Journal-Register, which got the leaked Hynes memo before anyone else, editorialized on the subject today…

As we enter week three of the legislative overtime session, Comptroller Dan Hynes has sent what should be a sobering memo to the governor and legislative leaders. In that communique, Hynes notes all of the bad things that will happen if the governor and General Assembly continue to fail at their job of getting a budget in order for the state.

That would include not only missed pay checks for state workers, but also the possibility of poor people not being able to find doctors who will treat them because the state can’t pay the doctors, foster care parents not being reimbursed for their important services, schools denied certain funds, even the possibility that certain road projects could come to a halt at the peak of the summer construction season.

Exactly what more encouragement do our “leaders” need to do their job?

*** UPDATE *** Something for you state employees out there. From an e-mail…

Credit Union 1 is gearing up to offer 0% loans to state employees that miss a paycheck due to the budget impasse. Credit Union 1 has used this program during past budget impasses and it has been well-received by their members.

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I’m getting kinda tingly about this, for some reason *** Updated x2 ***

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

As I told you yesterday, Cheap Trick is coming to the Statehouse today. Actually, it may just be frontman Rick Nielsen…

The Illinois Senate will honor Cheap Trick today. Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he plans to introduce a resolution recognizing the Rockford-based band’s accomplishments as musicians and its charity work. […]

Syverson confirmed that guitarist Rick Nielsen will be in attendance today in the Senate chambers, but he didn’t know about drummer Bun E. Carlos, bassist Tom Petersson and vocalist Robin Zander.

Tentative plans for the rock-star visit to the Capitol include meeting legislative leadership and members, and even a possible encounter with Rod Blagojevich, if the governor is in town, Syverson said.

The leaders meeting is scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon. So far, the only scheduled state flight that I can find so far is from Midway to Springfield. The guv prefers O’Hare, but occasionally uses Midway. According to FlightWare.com, the flight left at 9:02 this morning and is scheduled to arrive at 9:55. If that is the governor’s plane, then he may actually show up in time to have his photo taken with Nielsen. Then again, maybe it isn’t him and he’ll just show up later today.

At last check, Syverson hadn’t filed his resolution yet, but when it is filed it will be posted here.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Nielsen (we’re still waiting word on the others) will be on the Senate floor at 11:30 this morning.

Also, that flight above may have just been the regular shuttle. The same plane is heading back north again.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Syverson’s resolution can be downloaded here.

Imagine what we’re doin’ tonight
You really got me goin’ tonight
Imagine what we’re doin’ tonight
I’m crazy for some action tonight

46 Comments

Stroger has cancer

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

First, let me say that I wish Cook County Board President Todd Stroger all the best in his fight with prostate cancer…

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger underwent surgery to have his prostate removed Monday as it was revealed that he’s battling cancer.

Stroger was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 months ago, according to those close to him who confirmed the illness after the Chicago Sun-Times learned of it. With his wife, Jeanine, at his side, he came through surgery well, and there is hope that the cancer — found on a small portion of his prostate — did not spread, said Stroger chief of staff Lance Tyson.

Removing the prostate is a standard treatment for prostate cancer, medical experts say. Stroger is expected to spend the next two to three weeks recovering at home, Tyson said. “He’s doing OK.”

So, why did the Sun-Times have to dig out this little fact from insider sources while every other media outlet in the county was kept in the dark? Here’s a representative story from yesterday…

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger will take a leave of up to three weeks for what is being described only as a routine medical procedure, his office announced Monday. […]

The procedure occurred Monday. Aides declined to say anything more about the medical condition or to disclose what hospital is treating Mr. Stroger, citing privacy reasons.

But now, according to the Sun-Times, Stroger wants to take everything public…

Stroger plans to embark on a public campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer risks and the chance of successful recovery if detected early, Tyson said.

Count me as one of those who thinks Stroger gets too much bad press. Political reporters have never given the guy an even break, but way too often his office simply bungles things.

He cuts administrative costs at the hospital, but the stories focus on a handful of egregious patronage hires. He consolidates services, and the papers say he’s slashing critical care. The House votes to provide $100 million in funding, and pundits say he shouldn’t get the money until he cuts the waiting lines, which seems a bit bassackwards if you ask me.

Of course, he brings a lot of this on himself. His elevation following his father’s stroke caused an understandable outcry, which wasn’t helped by his so-called “allies,” particularly that blowhard Bill Beavers. As far as I can tell he’s never really walked through the budget with reporters so they could separate the hype from the facts. And he missed a golden opportunity when the House voted to appropriate that $100 million to point out how the cash would be used.

And now we have the initial coverup of his health status, which is gonna drive the reporters even more insane. Remember, he was elected in November, after he was diagnosed with cancer, according to the official timeline.

24 Comments

Morning Shorts

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Illinoize: The ‘bright side’ of the overtime session

* Editorial: Woe is the poor, overworked state politician

* Lawmakers finalizing deal on electric rate relief

* Approved bill could save money on energy costs

* Electric rate deal said to be close

* Editorial: Funding for the RTA with firm conditions

* New rules adopted for malpractice cases

Doctors saw their insurance premiums skyrocket just a few years ago, and dozens of physicians closed shop in the area. Insurance companies readily blamed the aggressive Metro East trial bar. Many lawyers, however, still contend that the courts were never at fault. Instead, they say, greedy corporations were simply looking for a scapegoat to justify their unfair rate hikes during tough economic times.

* Campaign reformers targeting Illinios

* WurfWhile: GOP Mayor Kevin Burns forming 14th Congressional District exploratory committee; more here

* Tribune Editorial: The drip, drip, drip on Obama

* Obama calls memo about India ’stupid’

* County’s health system faces an ax

Critics have seized on his decisions that involve closing 10 community-based clinics, shrinking specialty departments and focusing on urgent care services tied to the system’s three hospitals. Dr. Quentin Young, who chaired Stroger’s health-care transition team, said Simon’s reduction in primary and preventive care is costing the county patients and staff. “If you want to be a huge ER, he did it,” Young said.

* Opinion: Cook Co. joining city as immigrant haven?

* Chicago Public Radio: Doctors hitting the exits at Cook Co. hospital

* Daley stands pat on environment

* Southern Illinois’ Rend Lake piling up honors

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LaHood, Weller, Johnson, Hastert and an open thread

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I haven’t been following the “Will Ray LaHood really quit Congress to run Bradley University?” story because I’ve been too busy with other things, mainly the overtime session.

But, I also wondered if he even had a shot. The guy only has a bachelor’s degree, which doesn’t usually qualify someone for a top academic post. Still, he has been making preparations…

A LaHood fund-raising coffee scheduled for last Wednesday on Capitol Hill was called off Monday with a terse e-mail: ‘’Cancelled Till Further Notice.'’ LaHood told me it would be ‘’a little unseemly'’ to raise campaign money while he awaited Bradley’s decision, though that is common practice by congressional colleagues facing similar situations.

But Molly Parker has her doubts about the whole thing…

Since he was at the County Board meeting last week, we asked state Rep. David Leitch if he was gearing up for a congressional run [to replace LaHood].

“There’s not going to be an opening,” he drawled.

Asked later to clarify, Leitch, who was at the meeting to speak on behalf of Firefly Energy Inc., said he had no insider knowledge, just a gut feeling.

That echoes what we’re hearing across the board.

* I know that Jerry Weller is a very hard campaigner, but who else could survive press like this?

Congressman Jerry Weller is keeping tight-lipped about his wife’s finances. Weller says he doesn’t know what Zury Rios de Weller’s financial assets are, and he hasn’t asked about them. The seven-term Republican congressman married the Guatemalan senator in 2004 and they have one child. Weller says he relies on his own income he makes as a member of the U.S. House, and not his wife’s.

The two were married (her fourth) at the compound owned by his wife’s father, a former brutal dictator. She has said she has no plans to become a US citizen.

I fully understand that love is a strange thing. Nobody knows when or where it will strike, and you can’t always choose your in-laws. And while I try not to delve into personal lives too often, this has to be one of the strangest marriages in American politics today.

* From the same story above, it looks like Tim Johnson is doing well…

Financial disclosure reports show Congressman Tim Johnson took in over $226,000 in salary and pension payments last year. Johnson is a three-term Republican from Urbana who collected over $165,000 for his work in the U.S. House, plus another $60,000 in pension payments from the state — from his 24 years as a state representative.

* And this is no surprise whatsoever…

Aurora dairy magnate Jim Oberweis is considering running for U.S. Congress, but only if incumbent Dennis Hastert decides not to seek re-election.

“I would do everything I can to carry on Denny’s legacy,” Oberweis said recently at a Kendall County Republican Party meeting where he announced for the first time that he plans to form an exploratory committee.

This is an Illinois Congresscritter open thread.

56 Comments

Meltdown roundup and Updates

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Updated and bumped up so that I can use this to give you any further session news.]

*** 9:25 am *** The governor’s press office says there will be no leaders meeting today.

*** 10:17 am *** The guv’s press office says they’ve requested a 2:30 pm leaders meeting for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the House has canceled tomorrow’s session and the Senate has not yet posted any committee hearings this week.

*** 12:16 pm *** Comptroller Dan Hynes’ memo on crucial dates in a budget meltdown, mentioned below, can be downloaded here.

*** 4:16 pm *** Cheap Trick coming to the Senate tomorrow? That’s the word.

——————————————

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column examines the rampant finger-pointing at the Statehouse. Here’s one example, but please go read the whole thing…

Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson has said since he first joined the budget negotiations this month that he believes Gov. Rod Blagojevich is not serious about doing a deal anytime soon. Last week, Watson reiterated his complaint and shared a brief anecdote about the negotiations.

According to Watson, after the leaders had finished discussing the Chicago Transit Authority’s problems during a closed-door meeting, the governor opened the door for discussion on other subjects. Watson said he then asked about the budget. “What’s the rush?” Blagojevich asked, according to Watson.

A spokesperson for the governor claimed that Watson took the governor’s comment out of context. The behind-the-scenes pushback against Watson was intensely fierce and, as a result, was not mentioned in any news stories the next day.

But numerous people who were in the meeting backed up Watson’s claim, insisting Watson did not take the quote out of context.

Does it matter? Some. If there is to be any sort of government shutdown or serious budgetary crisis, it could have serious political consequences.

* Bernie Schoenberg takes a look at the governor’s work ethic, in light of the guv’s demand that legislators be in town five days a week…

In the more than three months listed [March 1 through June 8], the records show the governor spent five nights in Springfield, and was physically in the city for just under 200 hours including those nights. I am assuming his only visits to Springfield were on state planes, and I have no evidence otherwise.

He was physically in the city on parts of 25 days, but on 15 of those days, his airport-to-airport time was less than seven hours. And on one of those days, the Springfield presence was just a 15-minute stopover between Harrisburg and Moline.

* And the cost of his commutes…

Not including a handful of helicopter trips on the March 1-June 8 logs, the governor took 21 one-way trips between Springfield and O’Hare, which would amount to $31,101 in real costs. The 13 one-way trips listed between Springfield and Midway would come to $18,616.

That’s more than $49,700 in just more than three months - and it doesn’t count the miles those planes are flying without the governor on board as they go to pick him up or return to their hangar space. Adding those miles would double the amount to nearly $100,000 for those King Air flights alone.

* And Gatehouse has a helpful article that examines the timeline for a state budget shutdown…

About 4,900 employees of statewide elected officials could miss a payday if a budget isn’t in place by July 9, the report says. If a budget still isn’t approved by July 19, more than 8,100 employees of the Illinois State Police, Department of Transportation, Department of Central Management Services, Environmental Protection Agency and State Board of Education will miss a payday.

The deadlines continue throughout the month, culminating July 25, when 28,000 workers with the departments of Corrections and Human Services will go unpaid unless a budget has been approved by that date. […]

More than $2 billion was paid out by the comptroller’s office last July for nonpayroll expenses. For example, $270 million was paid in Department of Human Services grants to social service providers, $25 million for foster-care grants and $750 million in Medicaid payments. All of those would be affected by an ongoing impasse this July. Unlike state payrolls, there isn’t a specific schedule for making these payments, the report says, making it “impossible to assign a specific date at which services are disrupted.”

Court orders require the state to continue issuing checks for programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Assistance to Aged, Blind and Disabled. A court ruling also requires that state judges be paid. Although not covered by a court ruling, pension payments to retirees, tax refunds and payments on College Savings bonds will be made even without a budget.

* More budget stuff, compiled by Paul…

* Rep. Fritchey: Collateral Damage

* Althoff, Franks, Tryon: Gridlock in Springfield

47 Comments

Hmmm…

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** 10:43 am *** The problem with the website appears to be fixed now. Sorry about the slow-loading this morning.

———————————

Also, to my friends and family out there, Wasan’s family (except for her father) is at the border as I write this waiting in a very long line to get across (the nationwide curfew created a huge backlog of emigres). Her father should be leaving in a week or two, but it appears everyone else got out just in time. I’ll tell you more about it once all are safe.

*** 1:47 pm *** They’re across the border and have arrived safely.

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Question of the day

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

First, the setup…

The state treasurer’s office is the latest government agency to extend health benefits to same-sex couples.

The office will offer medical, dental and vision benefits to same-sex partners of employees who have lived together for at least a year and share financial responsibilities.

“All employees, regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation, should have the same access to health care,” said Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

In May 2006, Gov. Blagojevich extended same-sex benefits to non-union employees under his jurisdiction. (A union contract previously guaranteed the benefit to union employees.)

Judy Baar Topinka didn’t offer same-sex benefits for her employees ostensibly because of the tight budget situation, so, as noted above, Giannoulias’ office is the last one to do so.

Question: Was this the right move? Why or why not?

39 Comments

Obamarama - More Rezko revelations *** Updated x1 ***

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This Obama profile from the AP follows the standard formula, which was concocted months ago. Liberal state Senate voting record, ability to work with Republican colleages in Springfield, quotes from his poker-playing buddies, questions about his experience, comments from Sen. Donne Trotter, who also ran against Bobby Rush when Obama tried to move up. You may not want to bother even reading it because it’s all rehash. You’d think the AP’s “top” national political reporter could come up with something new. You’d be wrong.

* But this Sun-Times story does move the ball forward, and may cause Obama more headaches…

During his 12 years in politics, Sen. Barack Obama has received nearly three times more campaign cash from indicted businessman Tony Rezko and his associates than he has publicly acknowledged, the Chicago Sun-Times has found.

Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle. Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s.

Go read the whole thing. Now that the NY Times has jumped on the Rezko story, dutifully followed by the AP and the cable nets, any new Rezko revelation could create problems.

*** UPDATE *** This statement by Barack Obama, distancing himself from the D-Punjab hit piece on Hillary Clinton, has no credibility…

“It was a screw-up on the part of our research team,” Obama told editors and reporters with The Des Moines Register, according to the paper’s Web site. “It wasn’t anything I had seen or my senior staff had seen.”

More…

“That particular quote was a joke, I think, that Hillary Clinton made to an Indian-American audience,” Obama told the Register. “The research team thought it would be clever to put that at the top.”

Obama continued, “I thought it was stupid and caustic and not only didn’t reflect my view of the complicated issue of outsourcing … it also didn’t reflect the fact that I have longstanding support and friendships within the Indian-American community.”

Sorry, but there’s just no way that D-Punjab memo went out without “senior staff” seeing it and approving it. No way. The research director isn’t “senior staff”?

Also, all campaigns, large and small, have protocols for this sort of stuff. If something is distributed to bigtime reporters, then the communications director has to see it first. That’s his/her “constituency.” And from what I’m told, there was no breach of protocol here.

Either Obama isn’t telling the truth, or someone on his staff isn’t coming forward with the whole story.

11 Comments

Will YouTube kill the MBC project?

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

It may be a vast overestimation, but the Sun-Times has an interesting article today about the future of the Museum of Broadcast Communications…

Development plans for the Museum of Broadcast Communications have been on hiatus for more than a year while CEO Bruce DuMont fights to save the 20-year-old institution from fading to black. According to the original script, the MBC was to move to a state-of-the-art facility at State and Kinzie this year after leaving its previous home at the Chicago Cultural Center at the end of 2003. After Gov. Blagojevich reneged on promised financial support, however, construction plans halted, and DuMont is now trying to sell naming rights to bridge a $10 million gap.

While DuMont understandably blames Gov. Blagojevich for the quagmire, the real culprits may be Steve Jobs, YouTube CEO Chad Hurley and any of us who download and view television on the Internet .

Largely due to its 85,000 hours of archived programming, for years the MBC ranked among the city’s top tourist destinations. Yet the value of presenting those archives diminishes as more programming becomes accessible online, and viewers can go to iTunes to watch reruns of “Lost” and YouTube for vintage episodes of “The Mike Ditka Show.” Given that more than 90 million Americans have viewed video on the Web to date, is a broadcast museum today even necessary?

“The world has changed dramatically since we planned to build the museum,” acknowledged DuMont, a television journalist and producer whose uncle founded the DuMont Television Network. He added that more resources are being put into the MBC Web site, found at www.museum.tv, as the museum continues to court financiers.

Again, I’m not sure that YouTube and similar sites will deal the museum it’s ultimate death blow, but I’m wondering what you think about all of this, since many of you are hardcore Internet users.

13 Comments

Morning Shorts

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Statehouse Insider: Budget ideas common, few real solutions

* Shutdowns loom as stalemate continues

* Hilkevitch: Will politics allow for doomsday CTA cuts

* Opinion: A congestion fee? Transit funding is better choice

* Metra would cut service in 2008 without new funds

* Chambers: Hospital money held hostage in political war

* Illinois Review: The future of the Illinois GOP

* Latest cable measure would finally bring competition to Illinois

* Editorial: Latest indictment another sign of need for reform

With each new report of investigations into Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund and other dealings, the need for stronger ethics legislation in Illinois becomes readily apparent to everyone except, apparently, the governor and some top legislative leaders.

* Sun-Times Editorial: Illinois wins toll break in Indiana…Now it is on to Ohio

* AG Madigan sues two Champaign Co. clinics

* Sun-Times Editorial: City should keep its nose out of plaza plan

* Diverse pool vie to be Chicago’s top cop

* City, unions discuss long-term contract

* Repairs, updates begin for Lincoln’s Springfield home

* Too late for Rockford’s early sales tax collection?

* Not talking about my generation

1 Comment

New T-Shirt available

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

OK, here’s the new t-shirt design, as promised…

We have several different styles and colors available, including a golf shirt. I’m sure you can find something you like.

Go here to buy, and, remember, all profits go to the Sojourn domestic violence shelter.

*** UPDATE *** Marie Carnes over at Disarranging Mine blog has posted a photo of her new mousepad in action…

Sweet.

I wore my t-shirt with that same logo on it to the supermarket Saturday and ran into a guy who said he hadn’t ordered one yet, but was planning to get one soon. Don’t be left out! Order your schwag today!

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