*** UPDATE - 2:09 pm *** Sen. Chris Lauzen’s SB 600, which mandates elections for state central committeepersons, just passed out of committee on a vote of 5-4 with just one Republican “Yes” vote, Sen. Dave Luechtefeld. The bill was opposed by the GOP powers that be. Background can be found here.

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* The governor said today that he’s for a two-tiered state pension system…

Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois should offer new state employees fewer pension benefits to save money.

Quinn told reporters in Springfield on Tuesday that he’s looking at a two-tiered pension system to maintain current employees’ benefits but offer a less-sweet deal to new workers.

Any such proposal would have to be negotiated with the unions.

Senate President Cullerton is of the same mind…

The only possible cuts Cullerton suggested were reductions in pension benefits for future state employees – “The unions are not going to like it, but we’re definitely going to have to look at it.” – and state-provided health care.

* What the governor is apparently doing today is projecting a message that he’s for cuts before he comes out for tax hikes in his budget address next week…

Faced with a historic budget hole a week before laying out his budget plan, Gov. Pat Quinn wouldn’t talk Tuesday about tax increases, but said his focus is on making cuts in state government.

“We have to cut, cut and cut costs in the budget. That’s really the number one focus. The first thing you do is look for every opportunity to economize and to save money to the taxpayers,” Quinn said at a news conference in his Statehouse office. […]

The governor also said he’ll propose a $25 billion construction program, but not funded by a gasoline tax increase.

Cullerton says the gas tax needs to be discussed, however…

An increase in the state’s 19-cent-a-gallon gas tax “must be on the table” if there is to be a construction bond program this year. He said a 16-cent increase would be needed to provide enough money to finance a multiyear, $25 billion capital plan. “The capital bill’s definitely going to pass. We will not have a budget without a capital bill,” he predicted.

* Meanwhile, potential US Senate candidate Bill Daley was mentioned at the trial of Mayor Daley’s former Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Al Sanchez yesterday. Here’s what Bill Daley told the Tribune…

Former city worker Roberto Medina testified that he was involved in founding the scandal-scarred Hispanic Democratic Organization at the urging of William Daley and others.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the guy,” William Daley said of Medina. “I have no memory of him.”

Daley asked when Medina said their meeting supposedly took place. Medina testified Monday that the meeting was in the early 1990s at a restaurant on Fullerton Avenue and that it also was attended by top mayoral strategist Timothy Degnan, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) and mayoral Cabinet member Ben Reyes.

“A restaurant on Fullerton Avenue?” Daley said. “I may have had meetings in ‘91 or ‘90 about Rich’s election. It surely wasn’t about creating some organization.” […]

“There was a lot of political stuff going on,” he said. “Everybody could interpret it however

Denial or not, that allegation won’t look good in a campaign ad.

* From Greg Hinz…

Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, who finished third in the Democratic [5th Congressional District] primary won by Mr. Quilgey, has emerged as the clear front runner to get his current job as a county commissioner.

The choice will be be made by Democratic ward chiefs in Quigley’s district, and while Mr. Quigley is pushing his chief of staff, Kim Walz, for the job, the inside money is on Ms. Feigenholtz.

* Before we get to this next part, please remember my standard admonishment that bills assigned to a committee mean little. They ain’t laws yet. Even so, these two are so out of the ordinary that they’re worth a look here.

Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines) has two bills in the House Executive Committee.

HB 4116…

Sec. 9-8.5. Restrictions on election communications.

(a) Any form of communication, in whatever media, including but not limited to a newspaper, radio, television, or Internet communication, that refers to a clearly identified candidate or candidates who will appear on the ballot at the next general election or general primary election is prohibited (i) with respect to the general primary ballot, until January 2 before the general primary election and through the day of the general primary election, and (ii) with respect to the general election ballot, until September 2 before the general election and through the day of the general election.

(b) The State Board of Elections may impose a civil penalty for a violation of this Section not to exceed $5,000, except that the civil penalty may not exceed $10,000 for a violation by the holder of a statewide office, a candidate for statewide office, or a political committee established to promote the candidacy of a statewide office holder or candidate.

…Adding… To be clear here, the bill doesn’t apply to the news media. It applies to candidates.

HB 4115…

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits electioneering communications that negatively refer to a clearly identified candidate or candidates who will appear on the ballot during the 15 days before an election or primary. Requires the State Board of Elections to define negative references. Authorizes the State Board to investigate complaints of and impose civil penalties for violations. Requires the State Board of Elections to appoint a screening board to review (i) alleged violating communications and (ii) the compliance of prospective communications with the prohibition.