The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal over electoral districts in Wisconsin after a lower court ruled that the state’s Republican-drawn map constitutes an “unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.”
It’s the first time in more than a decade that the nation’s highest court will take up the issue of partisan gerrymandering, or drawing voting districts with the aim of strengthening one political party.
And it gives the court an opportunity to formally determine a metric on what constitutes unlawful gerrymandering, which could have major implications for the way voting districts are drawn in other states.
The Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue of race and congressional district-drawing, most recently last month when it rejected two North Carolina districts, as The Two-Way reported.
But the court has not ruled on “purely partisan gerrymanders” since 2004, as NPR’s Nina Totenberg reported:
“In 2004, a four-member Supreme Court plurality all but ruled out challenges to even extreme partisan gerrymanders, while four members of the court would have allowed some limited challenges. Justice Anthony Kennedy cast the fifth and deciding vote, declaring that he might someday embrace a challenge to a partisan gerrymander if someone could come up with workable standards.”
* The Question: Should Illinois abandon partisan legislative district maps? Click here to take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
Although Chicago property tax rates jumped 10 percent in 2016, they still aren’t close to the oppressive property taxes being paid in some of the poorest south suburbs.
While the average property tax rate for a home in the City of Chicago is 7.14 percent, homeowners in Ford Heights — one of the poorest communities in the state — were paying the highest tax rate in Cook County at 38.5 percent. The property tax rate in Park Forest was second highest at 35.8 percent and homeowners in Chicago Heights are paying a property tax rate of 34.18 percent.
The average property tax rate in the south suburbs, according to Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office, is 13.3 percent, nearly double the tax rate in Chicago, while homeowners in the north suburbs are hit with an average tax rate of 9.2 percent.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has repeatedly called for a property tax freeze, which would be nice for Chicago property owners, but would do nothing at all for people living in some of the poorest communities in the state — which happen to be located in south Cook County. For more than a decade they’ve been hit with the highest property tax rates, often driving the few businesses they have across the border to Indiana.
* The county party meets Thursday to hear from potential candidates and this one is now on the radar…
If Cook County Clerk David Orr seeks an eighth term next year, he could be facing his first Democratic primary challenger in more than two decades.
Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough on Friday said she plans to run for the office that Orr has held since 1990. […]
“I plan to submit my credentials to the Cook County Democrats and hope to win the support to get the endorsement,” Yarbrough said. “I will be running.”
Orr, 72, in recent years has hemmed and hawed about running again, according to sources who say he now intends to seek re-election. In political circles, it was thought Orr would step down and County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia would be appointed to get a leg up in the next election, but that didn’t happen. Attempts to reach Orr were not successful Friday.
Voters folded Yarbrough’s office into the clerk’s office last year. Orr was in favor of the merger, while Yarbrough opposed it, so you reap what you sow, I suppose.
Some central Illinois Statehouse races may be taking shape.
DILLON CLARK, 25, a Litchfield resident and Democratic Montgomery County Board member, says he’s running for state representative in the 95th District, now represented by Rep. AVERY BOURNE, R-Raymond. Clark had earlier considered a run for the House in the 13th Congressional District.
“The (general) election is well over a year away,” Bourne said in response, “and I’m focused on our work at hand — reaching a bipartisan solution on a balanced budget, enacting term limits, and reforming the way we fund our schools.”
And in the 99th House District, now represented by Republican SARA WOJCICKI JIMENEZ of Leland Grove, retired state police Master Sgt. MARC BELL, 53, of Chatham, said he is considering running as a Democrat.
Jimenez also said she is also focused on the legislature’s work and as for the election, “there will be time to talk about that at a later date. I am not focused on that right now at all.”
A nonprofit designed to help with upkeep at the Illinois state fairgrounds plans on selling naming rights to fair buildings to help pay for improvements.
The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation is in negotiations with corporations for naming rights to various buildings, Chairman John Slayton told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/2sw4P7K ). The foundation hopes to raise $3 million to $5 million a year to pay for improvements, he said.
“It will start to pick up soon,” Slayton said. “The naming rights are going to be our biggest dollars.”
Almost all of the 170-plus buildings on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield and the more than 20 on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds have structural damage that will cost an estimated $180 million to repair.
To fund some of the repairs, the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation is offering naming rights for damaged buildings.
John Slayton, chairman of the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, said many of the buildings need new roofs and shingles, and there are plumbing and electrical issues as well.
Slayton said the foundation has started talking to corporations about naming rights or sponsorships that will allow them to place their name on certain fairground buildings.
State fair naming rights in Iowa and Oklahoma have often been cited as potential models for the Illinois State Fair, though the question remains whether a private foundation for fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin has that authority.
Discussions continue with potential sponsors — including for the iconic Coliseum in Springfield that’s been closed by safety concerns since October — while attorneys for the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation explore the legal issue.
“We’re waiting on an opinion out of the governor’s legal office,” said John Slayton, chairman of the foundation board.
The key question is whether approval for naming-rights sales is required from the Illinois General Assembly, according to Slayton. The hope, he said, is to avoid the kind of legislative standoff that prevented approval of a state-sanctioned fair foundation.
Gov. Bruce Rauner had been set to be there and, in fact, was billed as the star of the evening. But he’s now canceled. Rauner’s office says it’s because of the special legislative session on the budget that begins the day after tomorrow, but perhaps he also doesn’t want to be too closely associated with some of the health care and other votes coming down in Washington.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…
Just hours before a GOP fundraiser, Bruce Rauner abruptly canceled his appearance. Rauner was billed as a “special guest” for the event and his attendance was announced weeks earlier.
Rauner’s team cited the special legislative session as the reason behind his withdrawal from the event, but the special legislative session was scheduled last week and conveniently doesn’t start until Wednesday.
It seems that Rauner was scared off by the backlash of a failed governor attending a high-dollar cocktail fundraiser 719 days into a budget crisis of his own making, and days before important health care votes in Congress. With the planned protest outside and the fact that Rauner refuses to take a stand on the GOP health care bill that many attendees support, it is not exactly a recipe for a great evening for Rauner.
“The Illinois GOP is getting a taste of what working families across the state have been dealing with for years. When it comes to following through on commitments, Bruce Rauner will be a no show every time,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Bruce Rauner is in it for himself and when the going gets tough, Rauner gets going in the other direction. Throw in some cowardice, special interest politics, and failed leadership and you get a Rauner cocktail of destruction and devastation in Illinois.”
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* SEIU Healthcare…
While the healthcare and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Illinois citizens remain at great risk due to Republican policies, Governor Rauner and the entire Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation will gather for a fundraiser in Rosemont dubbed “Cocktails with the Congressmen.”
Illinois already is in a state of crisis after more than 700 days without a budget, but the American Health Care Act (AHCA) threatens to take the chaos to a new level, chiefly via a $40 billion cut in federal support to Illinois via Medicaid.
In May, Congressmen Roskam, Davis, Shimkus, Bost, Kinzinger, LaHood, and Hultgren all voted for the AHCA and against the interests of the health of the people of Illinois. Governor Rauner - whether it’s because he stands to gain a tax windfall of $6.6 million or he doesn’t care about damage to the Illinois budget and the 700,000 Illinoisans who will lose coverage - has remained silent. The U.S. Senate could vote on the AHCA at any moment.
Citizens from over a dozen local organizations will gather on the sidewalk outside the fundraiser to demand Governor Rauner and Illinois Congressional Republicans do their jobs and save healthcare.
* DGA…
Tonight, Governor Rauner’s reelection campaign gets a boost from a fundraiser with Illinois’ Congressional Republicans. Some would avoid the optics of fundraising with the people who brought us Trumpcare, but not Bruce Rauner. Despite repeated opportunities, Rauner never stood up in opposition to Trumpcare and never caused trouble for Congressional Republicans.
The effects for Illinois of the House Republicans health care overhaul are well known – a devastating $40 billion budget blow, 700,000 kicked off their insurance, and the threat of higher rates for people with pre-existing conditions.
Now the Senate is deep in negotiations on their own bill, but have so far refused to release details to the public. In response, a bipartisan group of governors, including three republicans, released a letter in opposition to the current health care overhaul bill. Conspicuously absent from the letter is Bruce Rauner.
With Rauner unwilling to stand up to his own party, Illinois Congressional Republicans find it easier to support Trumpcare.
For Rauner, this is politics before people.
“Bruce Rauner played a silent partner with Trumpcare supporters, and now he’s being rewarded with a reelection fundraiser,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “While Congressional Republicans debate and debated the fate of our health care system, Bruce Rauner stayed silent, a stunning failure of leadership on his part. Illinoisans face devastating consequences from Trumpcare, but Governor Rauner chose to play the politics and sit on the sideline instead of fight for Illinois families.”
* Pritzker campaign…
On Friday, a bipartisan group of governors criticized the House GOP’s health care bill. Republican Governors John Kasich of Ohio, Charles Baker of Massachusetts, and Brian Sandoval of Nevada all signed on to a pointed letter to the Senate Majority and Minority leaders.
Absent from this bipartisan effort by governors to represent the best interests of their states? Bruce Rauner.
Rauner’s silence follows a familiar trend of the failed governor ducking and dodging the Republican health care bill, which would have a disastrous impact on Illinois.
If the House health care bill were to pass, Illinois could lose 46,000 jobs by 2026. State premiums could spike by $1,242 by 2018. Older Illinoisans would be completely devastated by the law. A 64-year-old Illinois resident with an income of $26,500 could see premiums skyrocket by over $14,000 by 2026.
This may explain why, despite celebrating the law when it first passed, even Donald Trump called the legislation “mean” last week. Given the impact this bill would have on Illinois and the governor’s continued silence, it must be asked, does Bruce Ruaner support the bill?
“Bipartisan governors are speaking out against the Republican health care bill, but Bruce Rauner is nowhere to be found,” said JB Pritzker. “This legislation is a direct attack on Illinois working families and seniors and would be devastating to a state economy already on the brink of collapse. Bruce Rauner’s silence is a stunning abdication of his responsibility to represent all Illinois families. This is cowardice and it is the most vulnerable Illinoisans that will once again have to pay the price for their failed governor.”
It’s also a lot of money for a state that already spends far more per student on education than any other state in the Midwest and the 13th-most in the nation. Illinois spends 40 percent more than Kentucky, 37 percent more than Indiana, 32 percent more than Missouri, and 16 percent more than Wisconsin per student.
They say that like it’s a bad thing.
Look, we have serious problems with education bureaucracy here. No doubt. But to use Kentucky as a model for education spending seems a bit, well, unwise.
* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
A compromise budget plan introduced by Illinois Republicans earlier last week includes a spending bill that funds more than $169 million in capital projects in lawmakers’ home districts across the state, an Illinois News Network review revealed.
State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, called the appropriations “earmarks” and “wasteful.”
“I was shocked to see Senator Bill Brady’s recently filed SB 2216, which is described as ‘FY 18 Member Initiatives’,” McSweeney said. “Special earmarks lead to wasteful spending and potentially corruption. I strongly oppose special insider earmarks.” […]
McSweeney said Brady’s capital spending bill “appears to be a part of a strategy to pass a massive tax increase.” He called on the Legislative Audit Commission to “do a full review and investigation of every earmark in the bill. Every member who has requested an earmark in the bill should be identified and required to testify at a public hearing.”
The lawmaker questioned several specific items in the bill, saying, “I can’t wait to hear the explanation” for the following:
$19,700 to the City of Morrison for renovations to the Farmers’ Market Facility;
$25,000 to Elk Grove Township for street sign improvements;
$31,923 to the Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign for renovations to the Harwood Solon House;
$65,000 to the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts & Culture for construction of a “world class museum and Fine Arts Center;”
$18,750 to the Village of Royal Lakes for “costs associated with capital improvements to Royal Lakes Community Center and gym.”
$245,000 to St. Charles for new construction or infrastructure improvements.
* Mark Brown takes a look at Chris Kennedy’s own Cook county property tax assessment study, which Brown says “wasn’t thorough enough for me to draw definite conclusions,” but was still eye-opening…
Kennedy’s results closely mirrored the findings of a more extensive investigation published recently by the Chicago Tribune, which concluded the property-tax assessment system is fundamentally flawed, to the detriment of those owning the least expensive homes. […]
Unlike the Tribune, Kennedy also looked at the assessments on major downtown commercial properties, which, to my mind, does a better job of making his case that the “system is rigged.”
Kennedy’s study shows it’s not uncommon for major Loop skyscrapers to sell for more than double the market value pegged by the assessor’s office.
“As bad as the residential inaccuracies are, the commercial inaccuracies are greater,” Kennedy told me. “The magnitude of the problem is much larger and the effect on everyone else much worse. These are big dollars.”
* For weeks now, I’ve tried without success to convince the comptroller’s office to provide a timeline of when everything blows up. At what point does Illinois not have the cash to pay crucial statutory-mandated bills? They know about how much revenue to expect every week and what the huge scheduled payments are (like pensions, school aid, bond payments, etc.), so that shouldn’t be too difficult. Yes, the Medicaid lawsuit throws a major wrench into the calculations, but, still, let’s see the numbers…
During the 2-and-a-half years Illinois has gone without a state budget, the previously little-known office of comptroller has had the unenviable job of essentially sitting at the kitchen table trying to figure out how to pay the bills.
Like any household, there are some items that must be paid first. A mix of state law, court orders and pressure from credit rating agencies requires Illinois to make its debt and pension payments, for example, and issue state worker paychecks and some money for schools.
Now Comptroller Susana Mendoza is warning that new court orders in lawsuits filed by state suppliers that are owed money mean her office is required to pay out more than Illinois receives in revenue each month. That means there would be no money left for so-called “discretionary” spending – a category that in Illinois includes school buses, domestic violence shelters and some ambulance services.
“I don’t know what part of ‘We are in massive crisis mode’ the General Assembly and the governor don’t understand. This is not a false alarm,” said Mendoza, a Chicago Democrat. “The magic tricks run out after a while, and that’s where we’re at.”
* This door-hanger was distributed in the Peoria area over the weekend. Notice anything missing from his priorities? A budget maybe? I mean, it’s not like it’s mid-June or anything…
Even so, it is interesting that they have people going door-to-door already - even if it is just a blitz piece.
…Adding… A Peoria-area reader just sent me pics of the same door-hanger, along with this…
Attached is the door hanger given to me by a 20-something walking my very GOP neighborhood Saturday. He asked what the biggest issue facing the state was, suggesting property taxes before I interjected the budget impasse. He said he’d heard that and asked if I thought it was mostly Rauner’s fault, Madigan’s fault or even. I declined to answer as a state employee. He then offered to put me on a mailing list for future Rauner events in the area, which I declined cuz I already get the local GOP announcements.
This is unusual for so many reasons, earliness being the most obvious. Never remember a statewide canvasser before in my neighborhood either. Just thought I’d share
*** UPDATE *** Pritzker just posted a little tweet storm on the door-hanger…
A $94 million online health insurance system has some Illinois state employees and agencies flummoxed and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration scampering to rid the system of bugs, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
State workers have complained of a gummed-up system that has rejected coverage without notice and inexplicably stopped payroll deductions. The head of the Teachers Retirement System, where 106,000 retirees count on the program for insurance, points out that neither the specifications nor the system accounted for Medicare coverage.
Georgia-based Morneau Shepell was the only company to respond to a quickly executed November 2015 request from the Department of Central Management Services to design a web-based portal for managing health insurance options. The request was posted for only 26 days. Documents show CMS staff members were told to proceed without following guidelines for ensuring minority-owned business participation.
The state has paid the company $375,000 but owes $9.4 million for more than a year’s work. CMS hasn’t submitted a voucher for the entire fiscal year that ends June 30. Officials said that’s because of the two-year stalemate over a state budget that’s resulted in too little money to cover state bills. But from four accounts designated for covering Morneau Shepell costs, CMS has paid more than $29 million for other bills in fiscal 2017.
As a father of six children, I taught my kids to be proud of their home. Illinois is where I grew up and where I chose to raise a family; it has always been so important to me that my children know how special our state is and all that it has accomplished.
That’s why I ran for Governor.
As my children grew older, I couldn’t continue to watch career politicians ruin our state. When I accepted the job of Governor, I did so with our state’s future, the children of Illinois, in mind.
Now, the very future of our state is at stake. This past week, I called a special session to bring the General Assembly together in Springfield to pass a balanced budget with real, lasting reforms for our state.
On this Father’s Day weekend, I ask you all to join me as we create a more prosperous Illinois. Sign here to show your support for real reforms and a balanced budget so that we can secure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
We’ll never stop working to bring back our state, and your support will continue to fuel our progress.
* Sen. Daniel Biss…
When Daniel first started as a state legislator years ago, and when Elliot and Theodore were very small, Daniel used to write notes to the kids for each of the days he was gone. The kids called them Daddy letters.
Daddy letters were Daniel’s way of letting our children know that no matter how crazy a day he’s having, he’s always thinking of them. Sometimes the letters were sweet. Sometimes they were a little goofy. Sometimes they just brought much needed smiles.
Whatever they said, these letters were just one of the many ways Daniel showed he care about them. And, whether he was on the road or not, he always made sure he made quality time a priority. Here’s Daniel playing blocks with Theodore:
That’s the kind of guy he is: loving, selfless, and willing to do the little things that make a big difference. Daniel has always been there for me and the kids, and I know he’ll do the same for Illinois.
Let’s make Father’s Day one to remember. If you haven’t signed our card, will you wish him a Happy Father’s Day today?
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said House Democrats and Republicans should take a good look at the Senate Democrat-passed budget package approved last month and contended GOP lawmakers need an “intervention” to overcome Republican Gov. Rauner to end the state’s historic stalemate. […]
“I think we might be at a point where we need kind of a compromise between Durkin, Madigan, Radogno and myself, and we can pass this. And by definition, anything you pass is veto-proof so it might be time for an intervention,” he said, noting the extraordinary voting requirement needed to pass legislation.
“Jim Durkin is the key guy here. I understand, from his point of view, (it’s) tough working with the speaker, they fight each other over elections every November. He wants to probably be the speaker someday,” Cullerton said, adding that Rauner, a wealthy former equity investor, heavily funded GOP legislative campaigns last year and has more money to spend next year.
“I know that’s a really big influence. But if those guys over there realize they’re going down with the ship when this governor loses next year and that they probably should just pull away, do a deal with the speaker and us and Sen. Radogno and I, I think that’s probably the best, most likely and most optimistic way of looking at what could happen down there.”
“For over 30 years, Congressman Gutierrez has been a fierce advocate and fighter for our immigrant communities and the most vulnerable in Illinois. I am honored to receive his endorsement and humbled to have him standing with me in this campaign,” said JB Pritzker. “As governor, I will work with Congressman Gutierrez to pass the TRUST act, ensure DREAMers can graduate and contribute to the economy, invest in quality education for all Illinoisans, and support small businesses and access to capital in the communities that need it most. Most importantly, I will partner with Congressman Gutierrez to stand up to Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner’s fear-mongering and attacks on Illinois families. Rauner refuses to stand up to Donald Trump’s hate and has decimated funding for immigrant services in Illinois. The nearly 1.8 million immigrants in Illinois deserve a governor who will fight for them and I look forward to standing with Congressman Gutierrez to be that governor.”
“I am proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because I know that he will bring people together and fight for what’s right in Illinois,” said Congressman Luis Gutierrez. “JB has spent his life lifting up our most vulnerable communities and fighting for Illinois families. But our current governor has failed our families and refuses to stand up to Donald Trump’s attacks. Unlike Rauner, I know that JB will be a partner and a friend to our immigrant communities in Illinois and he will never be afraid to stand up to Donald Trump. JB has the background and the values to take on Bruce Rauner and ensure that Illinois is a state that always welcomes and protects immigrants. JB will be a great governor for our state and I look forward to standing with him in the fight ahead.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Kennedy campaign…
This afternoon, at Captain’s Hard Times Dining, longtime U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush endorsed Chris Kennedy as the next Governor of Illinois. Congressman Rush hailed that Kennedy would bring “radical change” to Illinois’ state government, with a focus on helping the middle class and poor families who have been neglected under Governor Bruce Rauner.
“Governor Rauner’s days are numbered,” Congressman Rush said. “He has been more cruel and coldhearted than any governor in our history. He has slashed the social safety net, ignored gun violence and cut funding for Chicago Public Schools. We need change. I stand with Chris Kennedy because I believe in Chris Kennedy and I know Chris Kennedy. He is the best candidate to restore the promise of the American Dream for millions of Illinois residents. He will work for those who are left out and for those who do not have access to the American Dream. Chris will bring a radical approach to state government and give us a state government that works for every family in every neighborhood.”
Congressman Rush went on to address political dynamics in this election. “The Democratic establishment here in Illinois wants to package up with ribbons and deliver the nomination to the candidate of their choice. My message to them is that you cannot gift wrap the gubernatorial nomination because it is not yours to give. It belongs to the citizens of the state of Illinois. Chris is in and Chris will win,” added Rush.
Kennedy thanked Congressman Rush for his endorsement. “I am humbled that Congressman Bobby Rush has chosen to stand with me and support my campaign. His work has not only inspired me but my whole family. He is a longtime public servant who has worked to better the lives of everyday people, hardworking middle class and poor people who deserve a government that does not push them away but instead welcomes them here. Illinois state government needs radical change and Congressman Rush has long advocated for radical change. I am honored to stand with him to ensure that we keep the promise of our state, and restore the American Dream as the dream for all Americans,” Kennedy said.
The key [Bobby Rush] quote: “You can’t gift-wrap the nomination. It’s not yours to give. It belongs to the citizens of Illinois…Chris is in and Chris will win.”
That’s a clear shot at Pritzker, who has been much more active in getting help from Madigan and others to line up endorsements. Of course, the endorsement of Bobby Rush is, um, an endorsement, but Kennedy said he won it on his own without anyone giving orders to anyone.
Illinois has waited almost two and a half years for Gov. Bruce Rauner to propose a “real” budget. He didn’t do it in 2015 (although he claims he did). He didn’t do it in 2016. And he didn’t do it again in 2017, preferring all the while to let somebody else tell the truth that everybody in Springfield knows: Solving this crisis is going to create real pain by way of higher taxes and/or deep spending cuts.
Finally, after nine credit downgrades that have put state government just one notch above junk bond status and hurled five public universities into actual junk bond status, after scores of social services providers have closed or drastically reduced vital services to the most vulnerable among us, after doing real and lasting harm to small businesses that deal with the state, after doing perhaps irreparable damage to the state’s already horrid reputation and after Senate Democrats took matters into their own hands and passed a budget with the cuts and the revenues to mostly balance it, the governor got behind a budget plan on June 14—a mere 884 days after he was inaugurated.
Hooray! Give him a cookie.
The exclamation point was added by my editors, by the way.
Rauner didn’t announce the new budget plan himself, of course. That would be too politically risky. Instead, he dispatched some Republican legislators to lay out the new plan and take questions from reporters. The next day, Rauner appeared in a video supporting the proposal with no pesky reporters around to ask questions.
It’s not like Rauner has been alone in his cowardice. House Speaker Michael Madigan refused to prevent the 2011 income tax hike from automatically reducing itself from 5 percent to 3.75 percent at the end of 2014, and the Democrat has refused to pass a balanced budget with new revenues ever since. Madigan didn’t want to place his more politically vulnerable members at risk, and he wanted Rauner to wear the tax-hike jacket instead.
One of the hottest rumors making the rounds among Statehouse types last week was that the governor and/or the Illinois Republican Party will be sending “trackers” to Springfield for the upcoming special legislative session.
The rumor, which was everywhere, was that the trackers would follow Democrats around to try and get them to say silly things or record them doing stuff that might not look good to the folks back home.
House staff was even telling Democratic members to watch out for the trackers. And some Democrats were privately demanding that their party respond in kind.
So, I went to the very upper echelons of Team Rauner and asked whether the rumors were true. I was told in no uncertain terms that the rumors are totally untrue.
Nasty rumors thrive in the pea-soup fog of fear and loathing that pervades every Statehouse molecule these days. At one time or another it seems like everybody has fought everybody and now nobody trusts anybody.
Heck, the far-right Illinois Policy Institute is even running Facebook ads whacking Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative Republicans for their “$5 billion tax hike.” Rauner used to be a large contributor and often sought advice from and palled around with the group’s leader.
The governor’s party last week proposed what appears on the surface to be a fairly reasonable budget plan (pending further review) with some much-needed tax increases. But they couched the unveiling in such overtly partisan and demanding terms that it looks like a trap to many eyes on both sides of the aisle.
“We’re calling a special session so lawmakers can pass the Republican’s compromise balanced budget plan w/ reforms,” Gov. Rauner tweeted just before he officially called the special session. Rauner has obvious comprehension problems with the concept of “compromise.” A plan drafted by one party and then presented as an all or nothing demand doesn’t quite fit the traditional definition of the word. Then again, the Democratic majority has also done this on countless occasions.
But at least Gov. Rauner is finally starting to own something. You gotta give him that. Although, if the governor had just laid his tax hike cards on the table two and a half years ago we might not be in this rotten heap of a mess today. Senate President John Cullerton has said almost from the beginning that the only way a tax increase will pass is if the governor asks for it and sets the rates.
And there’s so little trust right now, some Democrats (and some Republicans, who’ve also been burned by this guy) still want the governor to specifically say out loud that he will sign a personal income tax rate of 4.95 percent and new service taxes on things like landscaping which are included in his proposal.
But it’s not just the rumors or the proposals or the press conferences. Other recent events have thoroughly rattled many Democrats. For instance, on June 9th Gov. Rauner contributed $1.5 million to the Illinois Republican Party and the follow following day the state party passed through $850,000 to the House Republicans’ campaign committee.
In other words, to some Democratic eyes, Rauner gave his Republicans big bucks to either vote for tax hikes or stay mum.
It’s also pretty much impossible to pass a tax hike without votes from Chicago Democratic legislators, who don’t have to worry about general election challenges. Yet, the Republican proposal included what seemed to Chicago Democrats to be an obvious poison pill: Vote to raise taxes while simultaneously shortchanging funding for Chicago’s public schools.
And then Illinois Republican Party negative mailers started hitting various House Democratic incumbents.
“Fred Crespo and Mike Madigan may let Illinois collapse,” blared a mailer that landed last week in Rep. Crespo’s suburban turf. “Fred Crespo teamed with Mike Madigan to: Block a balanced budget; Bail out Chicago Public Schools; Prevent a property tax increase; Reject job-creating reforms.”
Last Friday, Rauner began airing TV ads attacking Speaker Madigan and his “puppets” for letting the state “crumble” and for wanting to raise taxes “by billions.”
Well, the House Democrats do stand alone as the only caucus without a budget plan. It’s not at all inaccurate to warn Illinoisans that the House Dems may “let Illinois collapse,” because they haven’t yet done anything concrete to keep the government from collapsing.
But Democrats are left wondering if Rauner is trying to intimidate them into voting with him or setting them up to take the blame for a plan that wasn’t ever going anywhere. We’ll find out soon.
* I have to admit I’m getting a kick out of the Illinois Policy Institute’s response to the “Capitol Compromise.” From their news service…
Lawmakers will be back for a special session next week and on the table will be a proposal backed by leading Republicans to increase taxes by $5 billion. Some warn that would lead to a continued exodus of Illinois residents and businesses and could backfire politically.
Because lawmakers blew through the May 31 deadline to pass a budget with a simple majority, it now takes a three-fifths vote in both chambers to pass legislation, including a budget. That means for a tax hike plan to pass the House, only four Republican “yes” votes are needed to reach that threshold if all Democrats are on board. […]
State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, said she will not be one of those “yes” votes.
“We need a budget that spends only what we take in and we need to give the governor full authority to realign and redo all of the programs under the state’s umbrella and spend what we take in,” Ives said, adding that she’s disappointed by GOP leadership for being willing to exchange a tax increase for some reforms she said don’t go far enough. […]
Jason Lee, owner of Springfield-based New Age Tattoos, said last month that piling taxes on his industry and his income is more of the same.
“We’re not the upper class, we’re the middle class, and the middle class always gets our neck stepped on and I think that’s just a commonality in the state of Illinois,” Lee said. […]
Ives said she’s worried the proposed temporary tax increases will lead to continued outmigration of businesses and citizens.
She also has a warning for her fellow Republicans.
House Speaker “Mike Madigan may just very well call their bluff and make Republicans look like they just capitulated to a $5 billion tax increase,” Ives said.
[Bumped up to Monday for visibility and comments re-opened.]
* I’ve been tweeting about this new Bruce Rauner TV ad and I finally got it…
They’ve got that Madigan issue and that property tax issue and they’re sticking to ‘em and I don’t blame them. The stuff works. Not gonna help pass a budget, though.
* Transcript…
Mike Madigan will do anything to keep power, even take down Illinois.
Madigan’s puppets blocked the budget, stopped property tax relief and now want to raise taxes by billions.
Madigan and his cronies reject reform, and let Illinois crumble.
We elected Bruce Rauner to reform Springfield. That’s why Rauner’s pushing a balanced budget and long-term property tax freeze to grow jobs. It’s a new path to save Illinois, because Rauner means reform.
It’s time we rebuild Illinois.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the mayor’s office…
STATEMENT FROM ADAM COLLINS, SPOKESMAN FOR MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL
The last thing Illinois needs is the only thing we’ve gotten since Bruce Rauner took office, more TV ads and still no budget. The governor isn’t having a policy debate, he’s playing politics and the entire state is suffering as a result.
In the past six months alone he publicly said he supported a grand bargain, then privately killed it. He promised to veto an education funding bill that by his own calculations gets him 90 percent of what he wants. Then last week he called a special session to negotiate a budget with legislative leaders, and next week he’s going to launch an ad campaign attacking those same leaders.
The Governor needs to take the ad down, and finally put a budget up.
I’ve asked the mayor’s office if this applies to others running ads as well.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Rauner campaign…
People deserve to know the truth about what is going on in Springfield. There’s a compromise budget in front of them. Now, it’s up to Speaker Madigan.
Cullerton also said new ads from Rauner’s campaign, attacking Madigan and Democrats, aren’t helpful if the goal is to achieve a compromise deal to end the state’s historic budget impasse.
“It’s like if you and your wife are trying to make some major decision in your life about where to send the kids to school or something like that and you’re sitting down to go negotiate, you don’t really want to start out by saying, ‘You know, before we start, I just want to let you know that I always really hated your mother,’” Cullerton said.
Figures for 2016 show $99 million in Mega Millions sales and $208 million in Powerball sales in Illinois. About 40 percent of each comes back to Illinois in revenue. […]
“That’s money that won’t be available for helping schools,” [Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation] said.
The loss of the ticket sales will also impact store owners, because lottery buyers also shop.
“I would estimate on average Powerball and Mega Millions brings in $25,000 to $30,000 a year on average,” said Jigar Shah. “That would possibly lead smaller ones to go out of business.”
Lottery spokesman Jason Schaumburg said Powerball would be suspended after the June 28 drawing, and Mega Millions would be suspended after the June 30 drawing if a budget deal isn’t reached.
He would not respond to questions about whether the decision to end sales of the popular interstate games was made by the Illinois Lottery or the organizations that administer the games.
A spokeswoman for the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs Powerball, declined to confirm that a decision had been made to end sales of that game.
“The Multi-State Lottery Association is focused on protecting the integrity of its games and the experience of its players,” association spokeswoman Anna Domoto said in a written statement to the Tribune. “We work closely with the Illinois Lottery, and all lotteries selling Powerball, to achieve those objectives. … Matters involving the Illinois Lottery should be directed to Illinois officials.”
* The Question: Setting campaign politics aside, is this a good policy idea? Click here to take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
We’re still pushing for the passage of an actual state budget between now and July 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year, because we’re hopelessly naive that way. In the meantime, here are 10 bills, all largely independent of the budget stalemate, that the governor can sign into law now.
For the second time this year, an influential group of Chicago-area business leaders is openly challenging the Trump administration’s tough anti-immigration policies.
But this time around, the more than 170 corporate CEOs, midsized-business owners, neighborhood entrepreneurs and investors are pressing Gov. Bruce Rauner to join their crusade.
This week, the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition sent a letter to Rauner urging him to sign the Illinois Trust Act, which recently was passed by the General Assembly. The bipartisan measure seeks to provide increased legal protections to immigrants.
Rauner should sign this bill into law, despite the possibility of political blowback or maybe a nasty tweet from President Donald Trump. It will boost the state’s economic fortunes, while enabling Illinois to chart a realistic approach to dealing with the complex issue of immigration, particularly its impact on labor and business.
Meanwhile, I’m pleased to report that, despite the budget blues, legislators were once again capable of getting important things done. Last year they passed 23 local government reform bills that accelerated the long march to the open, accessible, honest and efficient government taxpayers are entitled to.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed all but one—he vetoed automatic voter registration—but this year he’s promising to sign a new and improved AVR measure that could legally put thousands more Illinois residents on the voter rolls. That’s a major civic engagement victory that can strengthen our fragile democracy.
We’re also asking the governor to sign 11 other good-government bills making their way to his desk—measures that would give the reform fight even more momentum by increasing local government transparency and accountability, and one group of bills in particular with the potential to be game-changers:
Lawmakers finally approved “smart streamlining” proposals that, among other reforms, would enable all 102 Illinois counties to begin “consolidating”—merging or eliminating overlapping and arguably unnecessary units of government, including many of our 1,400 antiquated townships.
Further complicating the job of paying the stack of unpaid bills, which stood at $14.8 billion at this writing, is an out-dated state law which makes it impossible to be certain how many financially wounded state creditors are out there and how much the debt to them will end up costing taxpayers.
Currently, state agencies are only required “to report the aggregate dollar amount of any bills held at the state agency on the previous June 30 to the Office of the State Comptroller.” As a result, often huge piles of overdue bills are dumped on the comptroller all at once.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done about our state’s checkbook balance without a state budget, and we continue to urge lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner to end the political gamesmanship and do their duty before the start of the July 1 fiscal year.
Fortunately, however, something can be done immediately about the comptroller’s inability to accurately estimate how much the state owes and to whom. Gov. Rauner has only to sign the long-overdue Debt Transparency Act passed by the General Assembly this spring.
* Related…
* Tribune editorial: Why an elected Chicago school board is still a bad idea
Pritzker comes across terribly in this, ducking basic questions. Looks like a total insider.
For instance, Pritzker was asked three times whether he thinks we should ban property tax assessors from accepting contributions from property tax appeals attorneys. He dodged every time.
He even criticized Chris Kennedy for using property tax appeals attorneys who donated to Berrios, when Pritzker’s lawyers did the same - giving six figure contributions to Berrios and his daughter.
Towards the beginning of the interview, Pritzker also said that his uninhabitable mansion was “in disrepair when we acquired it.” As interior photos from when the property was sold to the Pritzkers show, the mansion was clearly liveable.
Finally, towards the end of the interview Pritzker is given two opportunities to criticize Madigan for anything and ducks the question each time.
Not a good interview for Pritzker’s campaign at all.
He’d only say that the question should be looked at in the broader context of campaign finance reform. I suppose we should give him a bit of credit for staying on message. He’s almost as disciplined as Gov. Rauner in that regard.
Ponce: By the way, do you consider Chris Kennedy to be your biggest competitor right now?
JB: My biggest competitor is Bruce Rauner. I think that us having a fight with him this Democratic primary and attacking one another is a mistake. I think that there are 8 candidates as you mentioned at the beginning of the broadcast. And the 8 candidates on the Democratic side all believe one thing, which is Bruce Rauner should not be governor and we should be focusing on the failures of this governor because he is the one who has not stepped up to the plate with a constitutionally mandated budget. I mean, a balanced budget is what is required in this state and we’ve now gone 716 days without a balanced budget, without even passing a budget. It’s longer than any other state in the United States, in the history of the United States, so that is a massive failure and as you know, one of the challenges of that is the safety net is falling through. That people aren’t able to get to a mental health facility because they’re closing, they can’t find a shelter because they’re closed, and we’ve got unfortunately middle class and people who are striving to get to the middle class who are looking for jobs and this governor hasn’t created any because he isn’t passing a budget. Who wants to invest in jobs in this state if we don’t have a budget and you don’t know what the future is going to look like? He’s created massive uncertainty.
Ponce: As we mentioned, the state’s credit worthiness is now just approaching junk status, how would you change that if you were elected governor?
JB: Well first thing that all the rating agencies have said about our state is ‘Pass a budget, balance the budget,’ so the first thing you’ve got to do is get that done. And remember the new governor doesn’t come in until January of 2019, so I hope the problems don’t get worse between now and then, but it does appear this governor really isn’t going to get to a budget. We’ll see. I hope they do get to a budget in Springfield. But in January 2019 the very first thing we are going to have to do is pass a stopgap half year balanced budget, and then we are going to have go for a full year at the same time balanced budget. And that’s going to require real leadership.
Phil: JB Pritzker, so much of you is known in the public sphere, personally what do you want people to know about you and who you are as a person and your background that maybe they don’t know?
JB: Maybe the most important thing to know is that my life I have tried to work hard for the social justice values that my parents stood for. The things that really matter to me are standing up for people who don’t have somebody standing up for them. And in the state of Illinois that unfortunately has been middle class, people who are striving to get to the middle class, and the people dependent upon the safety net in the state. No one’s really standing up for them and those are the fundamental values of the Democratic Party too. So when I become governor that’s my goal, is to stand up for them, it’s to make their lives easier, and you know we need a progressive income tax.
Frankly, I think we are going to need to get, to legalize marijuana so that we can get some tax revenue in there too, and also change the criminal justice system around that, make us safer. But there are a lot of things that need changing in the state especially expanding health care and not contracting it like the way Donald Trump and his local partner Bruce Rauner are trying to.
State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is outraged at the latest golden parachute payout at Northern Illinois University.
News released today outlines NIU’s plan to pay President Doug Baker $600,000 plus benefits when he steps down later this month in the wake of the Illinois Inspector General’s investigation into illegal hires made by the university.
“As students across the state of Illinois are struggling to pay tuition and fees, our public higher education institutions are handing out golden parachutes to disgraced administrators for violating taxpayers’ trust,” Cullerton said. “What message are we sending? This needs to stop now. Illinois needs to get out of the business of paying university administrators off for their mismanagement and failing to comply with state laws.”
Under the deal, Baker will receive a full year’s salary of $450,000 and $137,000 to not serve as a member of the College of Business faculty. He also will be paid up to $30,000 for his “reasonable, unpaid expenses for legal counsel” related to his time at NIU.
“It is simple. If you mismanage state funds, you should not be rewarded,” Cullerton said.
The Inspector General’s report was publically released on May 31. The report details hires made by Baker and his administration that were paid contracts over $20,000, which are supposed to be subject to competitive bidding in accordance to state law. The jobs were incorrectly classified to get past the requirement according to the report.
The Chicago Tribune went on later to report that two of the nine employees involved in the hiring scandal made more than $400,000 for 15 and 18 months of work.
In the midst of the state’s budget impasse, NIU announced in May they will be eliminating and reducing 150 staff positions, which included 30 active employees. The active employees will have to transition to open positions across the university, exercise their civil service employment rights within their employment classifications or have contracts that will not be renewed.
“We are in the middle of a budget impasse. Every dollar, every penny, needs to be put toward the betterment and education of our children,” Cullerton said. “This deal is a betrayal of taxpayers’ trust. State dollars should not be used to line the pockets of failed administrators. ”
Cullerton is calling for tougher regulations to stop state universities and community colleges from paying out administrators while under investigation or found guilty of university mismanagement
The Senate president said he won’t call a Republican spending bill without a corresponding revenue bill.
Senate Democrats already passed a revenue bill with no Republican support. And while Rauner and the Republicans say they’ll now back a tax plan on their own terms, Republicans aren’t on record for voting for the measure, which would hike the income tax to 4.95 percent.
“I’m not going to vote on that [spending bill] unless we have a corresponding revenue bill to vote on, and they have to introduce that. And it would be helpful if the governor would say he’s for it because he’s never done that,” Cullerton said. “We are not going to take up any spending bills, especially since we already passed the governor’s exact introduced spending bill. So it’s hard to say that there’s anything wrong with that if you are a Republican.”
The Republican plan introduced on Wednesday is reliant upon a revenue bill, but didn’t include one. The politically unpopular measure continues to be a sticking point in the budget impasse.
* Despite what the Senate President says, a new spending bill is needed because the Senate Democrats’ plan didn’t factor in paying off the state’s mountain of past-due bills. That’s a very huge problem that has to be dealt with in an honest way.
But it would be helpful if the governor and the Republicans introduced their own tax hike bill. Introducing their own bill would prove they’re serious about this new “Capitol Compromise.” They’re going to need to at least amend the Senate’s tax hike bill (SB 9) anyway to change the income tax increase from permanent to temporary and to delete the retroactive to January 1st provision.
* There’s another problem with the new Rauner/Republican tax hike plan, however. A commenter reminded me earlier today of an Illinois Department of Revenue memo I published in late May about the Senate Democrats’ tax hike proposal…
Service tax provisions. The bill inserts 5 discrete services in the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act (ROT) (storage; laundry and dry cleaning; private detective, private alarm, and private security service; structural pest control service; and tattooing and body piercing)… It is the Department’s opinion that there is a substantial risk that the service tax components violate the uniformity clause of the Illinois Constitution […]
Entertainment Tax Fairness Act. The bill creates a new 1% tax on subscribers of entertainment (paid video programming through numerous methods including cable). It is our opinion that this tax could be challenged under the Federal Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA). […]
Video Service Tax Modernization Act. SB 9 creates a new 5% tax on providers of direct-to-home satellite service, direct broadcast satellite service, and digital audio-visual work. The bill does not tax cable companies. It is very likely that this tax will be challenged by satellite service providers.
If Gov. Rauner and the Republicans listen to IDOR and jettison that revenue, they’ll have to find a way to fix the resulting budgetary hole. Because, according to IDOR, the Rauner/Republican budget may not actually balance the way it stands now.
Oops.
*** UPDATE *** A commenter on another thread reminded me that the Illinois Policy Institute’s Liberty Justice Center has threatened to sue if some of the Senate’s tax hikes are signed into law…
These new taxes on services, satellite TV, and streaming services aren’t just a nuisance; they are unlawful, according to attorneys at the Liberty Justice Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit law firm. […]
“If Senate Bill 9 becomes law, the Liberty Justice Center stands ready to immediately bring a lawsuit on taxpayers’ behalf to have these unlawful taxes struck down.”
* As we’ve already discussed a bit, the Illinois Policy Institute is promoting Facebook posts that bash the GOP’s budget proposal. Here’s the first one…
Illinois Republicans introduced a budget plan that hits Illinoisans in fiscal year 2018 with the same $5 billion-plus tax hike from the “grand bargain” that failed in May.
That plan starts with a 33% income tax increase, and includes questionable new taxes on services such as Netflix, dry-cleaning services and more.
No no… It’s the democrats that want the 4.5 billion tax increase….. Rauner wants a 4 year property tax freeze…. The Dems …. Won’t budge!!!! Fake news!!!
This is fakenews…. Rauner has stated he will veto this
The only thing Rauner has said about this is that he is calling a special session to start Jun 22 and not end until June 30. Why is this site full of bait and listen? Cite your sources.
I’ve been following this site for far too long. There are multiple admins with varying opinions. For the most part, they are FOR Madigan and the members are 75% against him. If whoever is answering to this post on behalf of Illinois Policy could cite their sources when they say Rauner is behind this, I’ll believe them. Until then…#FAKENEWS. Every other source states nothing close…. Only that Rauner wants to “round ‘em up” and get the legislators working again toward a balanced and sane budget. He has always said he’d veto overtaxation. And there isn’t a single story or statement to back this post!!!! I call BS and #FAKENEWS until then.
Illinois Policy is lieing. This is bait.
FAKE NEWS…..ITS THE DEMOCRATS WANTING THIS
I think you have Republicans and democrats mixed up
I would need to hear Rauner say he supports this before I even began to believe it.
It is the domocraps not Republicans this site is full of it
Liar
fake news.
Fake news. It’s the democrats that are bleeding we the people.
This site has to get the facts right.Your as bad as fake news
* But then during a subsequent post that asked folks to call the governor’s office, the reality started to sink in amongst the faithful…
Call made. Message left. That message was this. “We are Republicans. We vote Republican. If you (Governor Rauner) sign this proposed tax hike into law, we will campaign against you”.
Reject any tan increase as it’s Chicagos problem not ours!
Reject it no more taxes thank you period or I will vote independent for gov
How much of this tax increase is going to bail out the CPS? The state taxpayers should not have to pay Chicago’s bills.
Just made the call - the woman who answered sounded less than thrilled to take another call on this subject. But call, call, call!!
Like he cares!! Straight up peice of [expletive deleted]!! He is no better then the rest!! He will do nothing!! All he does for us is collect a pay check!! I thought Bruce would be different but surprise surprise he is worse!! Illinois sucks they are all crooked!! I’m moving after living here for 30 years!! Illinois is going no where!! Get out while you can
Gov Rauner make campaign commercials repenting tax relieve for Illinois people, yet toys with the idea to go ahead and raise taxes?
what happened to the taxes we already sent the state ?
If the governor doesn’t know by now we we don’t want a tax increase he should not be in office
We need a budget not a tax hike you moron. Why are You still getting a check if I don’t do my job i don’t get paid so why are you moron
I was a big Rauner fan, but the Clinton bail out is terrible, if he signs a $5 billion dollar tax hike, I will be done with him.
Didn’t that Joker say that the Democrats increase was bad??? More proof Republicans and Democrats don’t give a crap about us. Wakey wakey people.
You have to wonder what all those thieves in Illinois Government think they are going to live on when they are the only ones left to pay the tax burden?
if Rauner sign’s,he’s capitchulated..
They all work together and then afterwards they play baseball, well, I do not think there playing baseball lately
Illinois votes crooks in all the time they are all idiots
Why are Republicans attacking Illinois families with this massive tax increase?
They screw up, mismanage, are completely incompetence and we have to pay.
Rauner is not a Republican, not sure why he ran that ticket, he’s been useless, he’s done no campaign against the machine, no special election, nothing, he’s a puppet enriching himself for his business
Another Governor that thinks putting a bandaide on the problems that will never help anyone.
Waiting on elections won’t help. The citizens have to tear it down and start over. Flee or fight. But we are happy to be fleeced instead it seems.
* But there were still plenty of dead-enders in those above posts. For instance…
Get rid of Madigan and his rules committee!
Why don’t you ALL call Mike Madigan, he is at fault. He refuses to work with Rauner. Madigan controls everything, just because Rauner is Republican he won’t meet with him to discuss the budget.
Good luck Madigan will never let this happen
Does this include a term limit on Madigan if so the tax hike is worth it!
* This is the question I asked all Democratic gubernatorial candidates early yesterday afternoon…
What are your candidate’s responses to the Republican “compromise” budget/reform proposal from yesterday and the governor’s special session announcement today?
They were given a hard deadline of 10 o’clock this morning. The responses are listed in the order they were received.
* JB Pritzker…
“Calling something a compromise doesn’t make it a compromise. A budget deal worked out between Republicans behind closed doors isn’t a great start. This is more of Bruce Rauner’s my way or the highway mentality as he moves the goal post and his only commitment is to his special interest agenda.
“Illinois will now spend $40,000 a day on a special legislative session because Rauner refused to negotiate a budget during regular session. The governor should come to the table and negotiate, but after 716 days of inaction, this is likely just another political stunt from Rauner to continue the blame game as Illinois families foot the bill.”
* Sen. Daniel Biss…
“As Bruce Rauner and Mike Madigan have proven over the last two years, simply being in Springfield isn’t enough. The Senate worked hard to pass a balanced budget earlier this year, while Rauner, Madigan, and the Republicans refused to do their jobs. And the current Republican “compromise” isn’t a compromise at all - it’s simply political cover to screw over Chicago school kids.
We’ve seen this before: political stunts that cost taxpayers money instead of actual governing. Sitting down face-to-face, hammering out details not press releases, making compromises, not tv ads is the leadership we need.”
* Rep. Scott Drury…
“Representative Drury is pleased the Governor and the General Assembly are coming around to embracing his idea of allowing pressure to build in order to arrive at a comprehensive budget. Had this been done in 2015, when Rep. Drury first pushed the idea, the pain caused to countless people as a result of the budget impasse could have been prevented. Unfortunately, Senator Biss and others kept using the “stopgap budget heroin” pushed by Speaker Madigan to make themselves feel better, while those around them suffered.
“As for the special session, Rep. Drury intends to invite Mr. Pritzker to be his honorary page-for-a-day. This assumes the Treasurer-Wannabe doesn’t have any phone calls scheduled with disgraced former Governor Blagojevich. Drury looks forward to learning whether Pritzker was subpoenaed by the Blagojevich grand jury back in 2008 and, if so, whether Pritzker intends to make public all documents he turned over in response. Drury also is anxious to learn whether Pritzker ever was considered a subject or target of any federal investigation related to the corrupt former governor. If it makes Pritzker more comfortable, Drury will record the conversations. After all, he is a former federal prosecutor.”
Yikes.
* Bob Daiber…
I do not support the proposed budget as it is presented for two reasons: 1) The property tax freeze will be disastrous to many school districts with no other additional state revenue. 2) The budget needs to include a funding component to help Chicago Public Schools. CPS is cash strapped just as many downstate districts.
This special session will be an additional cost to taxpayers. I believe the budget should have been finalized by May 31. The senate had passed a balanced budget that the Governor opposed. So, there is no other choice at this date but to have a special session so a budget deal can be made and the state moves forward.
* Chris Kennedy…
Here we are in the same place two weeks after session should’ve ended: Governor Rauner failing to pass a budget. Where were the Republicans weeks ago when the Democrats were negotiating? Democrats have compromised significantly, making a good faith effort to get a budget passed. They are making tough decisions because they know the worst thing we can do is continue operating without a budget. Credit rating agencies have given us a loud and clear warning. But for Governor Rauner, compromise isn’t good enough. He wants to destroy the Democratic party and he’s destroying our state in the process. The most basic part of the governor’s job is introducing and signing a budget. Every other governor in our state’s history has managed to do it. He hasn’t.
* Ameya Pawar…
Governor Rauner’s historic reign of destruction represents the consequences of electing out-of-touch billionaire businessmen with no legislative experience to political office. For 716 days, Bruce Rauner has failed the men, women and children of Illinois by refusing to do his job. No last minute sham “compromise” budget proposal or special-session announcement posturing will take a way from that.
I asked Tio Hardiman’s “campaign” for a response and never heard back.
* Subscribers have more background on this stuff. Tribune…
In a Thursday interview with the Chicago Tribune, Cullerton noted that his Senate Democrats are so far the only ones who’ve been willing to put their names on a tax hike vote. He warned that his caucus wouldn’t go along with another stopgap measure that sets the tax increase issue aside for another day.
“Why would you even think about a stopgap? To continue this horror show ’til the election year when we owe $24 billion?” Cullerton said. “You think it’s easier to vote for an appropriation without revenue after you’ve already voted for an appropriation with revenue? The Senate wouldn’t do that. I’m not talking about me. I’m talking my caucus doesn’t want to do that.”
Cullerton insisted his Senate Democrats did their job in sending the House a budget plan that addressed some of Rauner’s prerequisites.
“Maybe there’s a need for a special session in the House because they haven’t been passing bipartisan bills or budgets, so that’s great,” Cullerton said. “And now you need Republicans for sure over there. But I just don’t know exactly what he wants us to do.”
For the past week, Rauner suggested he might call a special session, an idea dismissed as a waste of time last year.
Shortly before the interview with Cullerton began, members of the Senate could be heard phoning his office, asking when they were required to report to Springfield and for how long.
Asked whether it was pertinent for his members to be in Springfield at all, Cullerton said: “We’re not going to vote on anything. … The action should be in the House. What you normally expect should come out of a special session, we’ve already passed that.”
I just sent this to the committeemen in my district.
Mr. Matt Flamm
Democratic Committeeman, Palatine Township
Mr. Michael Kreloff
Democratic Committeeman, Northfield Township
Mr. Terry Link
Democratic County Chair, Lake County
Mr. Mark Walker
Democratic Committeeman, Wheeling Township
Dear Sirs,
It has been an honor to serve as State Representative from the 57th District since 2003. I have worked diligently from the day I was elected to represent the good people of this district and this state with humility and passion. But after careful thought, it is time for me to step back and create an opportunity for a new leader who can take on our state’s tremendous problems with the same mindset.
I am writing to inform you that I will not be seeking reelection to the position in the 2018 election cycle and intend to leave at the appropriate time before the end of my term. I know how important it is for this seat to continue to be represented by someone who shares our core goals and values, so I wanted to make sure you and the other members of our local Democratic Party had ample time to find the right person who will best represent our area.
Thank you again for your support in my elections and service in Springfield, and your good work for our district. I trust you will find the right candidate who will help move our state forward.
Regards,
Elaine Nekritz
Man, that’s a huge loss for the House and for the state. Elaine is a quality legislator and highly respected. But she’s been supremely frustrated with this impasse and I don’t blame her for moving on.
I think there will be more of these, by the way. Lots more, particularly if nothing is done by the end of June.
* From Sen. Toi Hutchinson, the sponsor of SB 9, which is the Senate’s revenue bill…
I have been calling for urgency and pointing out the dangers of running down the clock for months now. When our Caucus passed SB9, the revenue that every single budget plan out there relies on, it was at a rate and structure that the Governor demanded.
It was interesting to see them file a new budget bill, and a new school funding bill, but no new tax increase bill. Instead, they issued a demand that SB9 be amended to be temporary, turning it into little more than a 4 year stop gap.
If they get to demand everything that is in the tax package but have yet to say who will actually vote for it, I suppose we should all anxiously await a tax increase bill filed by Republicans for the money that their Capitol Compromise requires.
This template should not be forwarded or shared with agency staff other than Director, Chief of Staff (or other comparable position), General Counsel, or Chief Financial Officer (i.e. this should only be shared with staff who may meet or discuss the contents of w/ GOMB). This is a confidential document.
Please fill out the attached template, adding pages as necessary, to provide information to GOMB on priority ‘red flag’ issues that may face your agency in event of a scenario where no FY18 appropriations have been enacted from any fund when the fiscal year begins (including no appropriations from other state funds or federal funds). In the template, please note to the extent these red flag issues may be addressed if state funds and federal funds outside of the general funds are appropriated.
Issues can be grouped into payment types (e.g. a grant program name, travel, utilities, rent, postage) and do not need to be listed by vendor name, although an explanation of current status and agreements with vendors for these categories will be useful for discussion. Please order the issues in order of expected priority or the agency and note the total annual cost of this service area and the estimated amount that will be unpaid as of the end of FY17. Your identification of issues should be focused on goods, services or providers that support the critical functions and operations of your agency and the agency’s highest priorities.
Looking ahead to FY18, note critical dates through the end of December for the vendors, and provide a brief discussion of the expected impact at these critical dates.
Red flag issues should also include any potential issues arising from payment delays in the general funds, even for programs covered by consent decrees and court orders. Please note that even if general funds appropriations are enacted for red flag items, general funds payment delays are expected to lengthen at the Comptroller’s office and are likely to be significant during the course of FY18 in the absence of a balanced budget.
Looks like they’re also preparing agencies for a partly funded stopgap approp.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate declined -0.1 percentage points to 4.6 percent in May and nonfarm payrolls increased by +2,400 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. April job growth was revised little to show a decrease of -7,300 jobs rather than the preliminary estimate of -7,200 jobs.
May’s modest monthly payroll gain kept over-the-year job growth well below the national average. Payroll growth has been sluggish thus far this year.
“Illinois remains -23,300 jobs short of reaching its prior peak employment reached in September 2000,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “If Illinois had grown at the National average over that time, the State would have an additional 650,000 jobs.”
“We hear from companies every week that are concerned by the current business climate in Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Director Sean McCarthy. “We need to implement common sense reforms that would lead to booming job growth and expansion of opportunities across our state.”
In May, the three industry sectors with the largest gains in employment were: Construction (+4,000); Education and Health Services (+3,700); and Information Services (+900). The largest payroll declines were in the following sectors: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-3,700); Government (-2,500); and Professional and Business Services (-700).
Over-the-year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +34,700 jobs with the largest gains in these industry sectors in May: Education and Health Services (+19,200); Professional and Business Services (+13,400); Financial Activities (+9,500). Industry sectors with the largest over-the-year declines include: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-7,700); Manufacturing (-1,800); and Construction (-1,700). The +0.6 percent over-the-year gain in Illinois is less than one-half as strong as the +1.6 percent gain posted by the nation in May.
The state’s unemployment rate is +0.3 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for May 2017, which decreased to 4.3 percent. The Illinois unemployment rate is down -1.3 percentage points from a year ago when it was 5.9 percent. At 4.6 percent, the Illinois jobless rate stands at its lowest level since February 2007, after having decreased for four consecutive months and is down -1.1 percentage points since January 2017.
The number of unemployed workers decreased -2.9 percent from the prior month to 298,100, down -23.0 percent over the same month for the prior year. This brings the number of unemployed workers to its lowest level since December 2006. The labor force decreased -0.3 percent over-the-month and declined by -0.9 percent in May over the prior year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and are seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
“We have stated unequivocally that a resolution to the governor’s budget crisis—which has resulted in eight credit downgrades and tripled the state’s debt—must be our top priority. Wherever we can compromise with the governor without hurting middle-class families, Democrats have worked to find common ground so we can get the governor to work with us and pass a balanced budget, but he has refused to do so. Per the governor’s request, House Democrats have voted to cut property taxes, reform workers’ compensation, make changes that will improve the business climate and level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses, reform the state procurement code and sell the Thompson Center. With each attempt to meet Governor Rauner half way, we urged him to return to the table to negotiate a state budget. The governor refused.
“Since the adjournment of the spring session, Democrats have continued our work on the budget. At a budget hearing this month, legislators listened to mothers of children with developmental disabilities, including one woman whose son had to be institutionalized because the governor’s crisis has blocked access to in-home care. A survivor of sexual assault called on the governor to come back to the table and end the crisis. Those who spoke were in agreement: People’s lives are on the line, and it’s time to act. The governor responded by calling them ‘props’ and dismissing the entire hearing as a ‘sham.’ Casting aside those most directly affected by Governor Rauner’s budget crisis is no way to move forward.
“House Democrats will continue our work on the budget from Springfield, but as Governor Rauner has met each of our attempts to date with refusal, it’s clear that the onus is on the governor to show that he is finally serious about working in good faith to end the crisis he has manufactured.”
In the wake of a state investigation that said President Doug Baker “mismanaged” Northern Illinois University, he announced at this morning’s Board of Trustees meeting that he is leaving the university.
Baker called the 56-page report from the Office of the Executive Inspector General a “distraction,” and said he’d step down June 30.
The report found that NIU officials hired at least five people as though they were part-time instructors and paid them more than $1 million combined over a roughly two-year period.
The investigation found that starting when Baker took office in June 2013, university officials, under orders from Baker, improperly classified multiple high-paying consulting positions as affiliate employees to skirt state rules requiring competitive bidding.
The Board of Trustees was given the report in August, and Baker said that after its public release at the end of May, he met with board Chairman John Butler about his future.
The Appellate Court dismissed today the Pay Now Illinois coalition suit. A statement from Pay Now Illinois Chair Andrea Durbin is just below.
We are terribly disappointed in today’s ruling from the Appellate Court.
The Appellate Court has directed providers to the Court of Claims for relief. This is at best a theoretical, not a practical remedy. Even prior to the destructive budget impasse, human service providers routinely waited years for a judgement, and then had to wait for a subsequent appropriation to be paid. This process could literally take three, four, or even five years. When providers are due payment for service from an entire year or more, waiting for half a decade for payment does nothing to help providers meet payroll and pay their bills today. Further, the Court of Claims is in no way equipped to handle the massive filings that would result if all providers and vendors who are owed money from the State of Illinois sought relief through this means.
Providers contemplating contracts for FY18 should consider the state of affairs as it exists today. We have no budget for FY17 or FY18, the partisan warfare continues in Springfield, and at this point we have a total breakdown in the functioning of our state. This decision helps to remove some of the uncertainty that providers have faced over the past two years.
Pay Now Illinois still has a case pending in St. Clair County. We expect a decision shortly and certainly hope for a different outcome. We will also evaluate our next steps as a coalition; we have tried to go directly to the Illinois Supreme Court before and will consider whether to pursue that option again.
The real losers from today’s decision are the children, youth, families, and communities we serve – the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, people with mental health needs, or people who are addicted, victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, youth who run away from home or who are in trouble with the law – as well as the hundreds and thousands of employees who come to work each day trying to keep people safe, healthy, and able to achieve their potential. No one should rejoice in this decision.
The panel rejected the coalition’s assertions that Rauner has acted beyond his gubernatorial authority by entering into contracts which weren’t funded, and then vetoing the appropriations bills that would have funded them.
“The governor was not obligated to approve any or all portions of appropriations bills by the General Assembly,” Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke wrote in the 35-page opinion on behalf of the three-judge panel. “Indeed, both the governor and the General Assembly are constitutionally constrained to propose or pass budgets and appropriations that do not exceed estimated available funds.”
One day after House and Senate Republicans unveiled a compromise balanced budget plan to end the budget impasse, Governor Bruce Rauner today called lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session from Wednesday, June 21st through the June 30th fiscal year deadline.
“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Governor Rauner said in a video announcing special session. “It provides a true path to property tax reduction and it reforms the way our state operates to reduce wasteful spending. It will fund our schools and human services, while spurring economic growth and job creation. It is a true compromise – and one I hope the majority in the General Assembly will accept.”
For two weeks, the majority in the General Assembly ignored repeated calls to return to Springfield since adjourning on May 31st without passing a full-year balanced budget. If no action is taken by the General Assembly to pass the compromise balanced budget plan by June 30th, the ramifications for our state will be devastating and long-lasting. In order to find a resolution, Governor Rauner issued 10 proclamations calling for special sessions every day starting Wednesday, June 21 at Noon. The proclamations direct the General Assembly to consider legislation that will reach a balanced budget with changes to our broken system, including property tax relief, job creation, term limits and spending caps. Should the General Assembly enact the compromise balanced budget plan prior to June 30th, the Governor will cancel any remaining special session days.
“We have tough, urgent choices to make, and the legislature must be present to make them,” Governor Rauner said. “In the days ahead, let’s show the people of Illinois we have their best interests in mind, not our own. And together, we will move our state forward to a better and brighter future.”
“I am anxious to return to the Capitol to continue our work on a comprehensive budget solution. We have a very real deadline looming as we close yet another fiscal year without a budget in place. I hopeful we will have productive sessions, legislative leader meetings with true engagement from all four leaders, and bipartisan efforts toward compromise. I and my Caucus believe a comprehensive solution is within reach and we ought to do everything possible to achieve it before July 1. The alternative to not finding compromise will be devastating to Illinois.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Democratic Governors Association…
Rauner Waits Until After Big Fundraiser to Call Special Session
Rauner Funneling Money to IL GOP To Continue Running Attack Ads During Budget Negotiations
Last week, Bruce Rauner held a memorable press conference where he attacked Democrats for holding “sham” hearings with “props” disguised as people, and threatened to “force” legislators back to Springfield for a Special Session. It was great theater.
And only that. Rauner waited two weeks to “force” legislators back because he could not call it before his big fundraiser on the 19th. That would have been bad optics.
And really his big press conference was one big play itself. The whole event came on the heels of a three-day campaign-like swing featuring the same kind of people “props” he would decry the next day.
Over the next few days Rauner will play the part of compromiser, all the while funneling millions to the Illinois GOP to continue running attack ads during budget negotiations.
The role that he was born for? “Most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.”
“Bruce Rauner’s decision to hold a fundraiser before calling a special session shows voters exactly what his priorities are,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The fact is that Bruce Rauner is more interested in playing politics than getting a real deal done for the people of Illinois. Holding fundraisers and campaign-style events, and running attack ads, is exactly the theatrical politics that landed his as ‘most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.’”
*** UPDATE 3 *** House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…
“With the fiscal year coming to a close and the House Democrats failure to produce a budget during session warrants the Governor’s action today. We can break this impasse if the House Democrats are willing to negotiate in good faith.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** This post is apparently popping up all over Facebook today…
*** UPDATE 5 *** From John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton…
I will remind everyone that the Illinois Senate has been in session the last six months and produced a balanced budget plan that was approved and sent to the Illinois House.
I’m not sure where Governor Rauner was during the first half of the year, but the Senate did his work and balanced his spending plan using the numbers and tax rate he wanted.
Now that he’s decided to engage, it would be helpful if he could use his influence to marshal the House Republicans to join the bipartisan coalition and support his tax increase and spending plan and get a balanced budget approved in the House. Until then, the Senate has already done the work and is waiting for the governor to finish the job.
Heh.
*** UPDATE 6 *** Sen. Bill Brady…
“It’s unfortunate that we’re in this situation, but I applaud Governor Rauner for doing what was necessary and calling the General Assembly back to Springfield,” said Brady noting, “This week I introduced a real, full year balanced state budget that isn’t another lifeline, stop gap, or band-aid budget. My budget and the compromise reform measures my colleagues have put forth this week are the real solutions that the people of this state deserve. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work to get this done.”
*** UPDATE 7 *** Sen. Kwame Raoul…
I understand the urgency of ending the budget impasse. I understood that urgency last month, when I joined my colleagues in the Senate in voting for a balanced budget. What I wonder is why Governor Rauner seems to be in such a hurry now. Where was he last month? Where were the Republicans last month when we took difficult votes to pass a budget that will allow us to pay our bills on time?
The governor’s stalling on a budget deal isn’t just frustrating – it’s costly. The special session will cost taxpayers $64,687 a day, totaling $646,870 over the 10-day session. At a time when the state owes $15 billion in unpaid bills, this is hardly money we can afford to spend.
Again, I understand the need for immediate action. I simply wish Gov. Rauner and Republicans had been this interested in working quickly when we voted to pass a balanced budget in May.
The association that runs the popular Powerball lottery and Mega Millions games will drop Illinois at the end of June without a budget agreement.
Concern over the state of Illinois’ fiscal condition prompted that decision by the Multi-State Lottery Association, according to internal Illinois Lottery communications.
Illinois Lottery spokesman Jason Schaumburg on Thursday morning confirmed that the games will be dropped without a state budget. He said the association has never threatened to drop the games. […]
The state reported $99.4 million in Mega Millions sales and $208 million in Powerball sales within the 2016 budget year. It’s unclear how much revenue the state got from the sale of those tickets.
Sheesh, what an embarrassment.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Pritzker campaign…
Today, the Multi-State Lottery Association announced they voted to remove Illinois from the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries due to Bruce Rauner’s 715-day budget crisis. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“The decision by the Multi-State Lottery Association is a clear rebuke of Bruce Rauner and the 715-day budget crisis he has unleashed on our state,” said JB Pritzker. “Rauner is a historic failure and bond ratings agencies, investors, and now U.S. lotteries are taking note. Under Bruce Rauner, Illinois has earned the reputation of being a bad investment and a state without stability or growth. This is what failed leadership looks like and the devastation will not stop until Bruce Rauner is out of office.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Lou Lang…
“The decision today by the Multi-State Lottery Association to remove our state from participation in these lottery games is just another example of the absolute failure by the governor to do his job and govern. Due to the impasse that he has created, other states are now recognizing the lack of leadership by the governor, and they have made the decision that Illinois under Bruce Rauner is not a reliable partner.
“Not only does this affect Illinois gamers who enjoy playing the lottery games, but this will also have enormous negative effects on our public education system. This will take away millions of dollars of state funds for our schools, which are more critical now than ever. These effects just represent a small portion of the damage that the governor has done by holding up services and programs over items that have nothing to do with our state budget.
“House Democrats have worked to meet the governor in the middle, including passing reforms to the procurement and worker’s compensation systems, and working to level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses. Yet, the governor still refuses to come back to the negotiating table. Republicans and Democrats nationwide are reacting to the complete lack of leadership under Bruce Rauner, which is leading us on the path to become a deadbeat state.”
Dozens of Illinois social service providers asked a St.Clair County judge to make Illinois pay for work they’ve already done.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has continued signing contracts with the groups, even as he has vetoed the General Assembly’s attempts to appropriate money.
Andrea Durbin, leader of the coalition, said Illinois knows what it’s doing.
“What they’re doing is they’re banking on — in the most cynical way — they’re banking on the fact that we give a damn,” she said, “and we won’t turn our backs on these clients, we won’t shove them out into the streets, that we won’t lay off our employees until it’s impossible for us to do anything else.”
An appellate court ruling is expected today on this matter. It will be posted here, so keep an eye on that page.
With the end of the Fiscal Year only weeks away, Senate Republicans joined their House colleagues to unveil a comprehensive, balanced budget proposal this week urging Democrat leaders to come back to the negotiation table, take up bipartisan compromise once more, and pass a balanced budget before Illinois enters its third-straight year without a budget.
Senator Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows) issued the following statement after the Republican’s compromise package was introduced:
“Illinois’ budget impasse should have been resolved before lawmakers left Springfield on May 31, but instead the Senate-majority passed an unbalanced budget that Republicans cannot support, walked away from the table and said their work was done. However, our students deserve equity, our taxpayers need relief and our businesses need our help. Our state deserves and demands better,” stated Rooney.
“This budget compromise gives lawmakers a chance to come back to the table, pick up where we left off before partisan politics took control and pass a balanced budget. We have a compromise before us that provides cost saving pension reform, equitable school funding, lasting property tax relief, real workers’ compensation reform, and a balanced budget plan that helps bring about the stability that has evaded our state for almost three years. The time to act is now, we just have to take the steps to work together and finish what we started months ago.”
Not all Republican lawmakers were on board with the new plan. State Rep. David McSweeney said he could not support the tax increases included in the package.
“Raising taxes will kill jobs and hurt Illinois families,” McSweeney said. “We should focus on cutting spending.”
McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, said Illinois will spend $4 billion more in the fiscal year that ends June 30 than it ever did under former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.
“We need to address the two biggest items in the budget, pensions and Medicaid,” McSweeney said. “It’s business as usual.”
Republican state lawmakers announced the newest attempt to solve Illinois’ budget crisis June 14. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office said he’d sign the plan into law if it passes unchanged.
Like the “grand bargain,” the Brady plan, and Senate Democrat’s budget before it, the GOP plan relies on $5 billion in new tax revenues because it includes no meaningful spending reforms.
But this new plan is even worse than previous budget proposals because, according to the math, the tax hikes aren’t even necessary to balance the 2018 budget.
The Republican plan caps spending at $36 billion for the year. Compared to the latest revenue estimates from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, or COGFA, that would leave just under a $5 billion budget deficit for 2018.
However, if you look at the GOP’s walk-through, you’ll see most of what’s not included in the institute’s estimate, namely transfers out, debt service and repayment of old bills, which total $4.35 billion alone.
Roadwork projects across Illinois could be on the chopping block as the state’s historic budget impasse continues.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will shut down roadwork statewide if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by the end of the month, officials announced Wednesday.
“Due to the General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1,” IDOT communications director Guy Tridgell said in an email.
“While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process,” Tridgell said.
Roadwork projects were put in jeopardy by the budget impasse last year as well, but a stopgap bill passed in the final hour secured roadwork funding.
“The impacts of a shutdown are dire,” said Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA) President & CEO Mike Sturino. “According to the Transportation for Illinois Coalition, the daily costs of a shutdown exceed $3 million just for direct costs associated with shutting a job down,” he added. “IRTBA member firms report that layoffs of thousands of Chicago area residents are imminent. Organized labor is reporting approximately 30,000 people will be out of work statewide if this shutdown happens.”
Democrats led by House Speaker Michael Madigan contend that raising taxes is a necessity for closing a gaping budget hole, not a Democratic agenda item to be used as a bargaining chip.
“Who are they compromising with?” asked Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. He said House Democrats would “take a hard look at the proposal,” but also noted the chamber had already approved several pieces of legislation that he contended address Rauner’s requests. […]
Durkin said Republicans expect “substantial compliance” from Democrats, warning that he would reject “reform light or anything that is significantly diluted.”
Why should Madigan take the new Republican plan seriously? Democrats now need a three-fifths majority to pass a budget, Durkin said.
“The question is whether or not the speaker is committed to breaking the impasse, because he needs my votes,” Durkin said. “His members are frustrated. I talk to them. There’s pressure building up in the House Democratic caucus to get this to resolution.”
“There is pressure building up in the House Democratic caucus to bring this to resolution [said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin]. If he is committed to breaking the impasse, he needs to work with us.”
Because the General Assembly blew past its scheduled May 31 adjournment date without passing a budget, it now takes a three-fifths supermajority in the House and Senate to pass anything. Seventy-one votes are required in the House to pass a bill, with Democrats holding 67 seats.
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Madigan, D-Chicago, said none of the Republican proposals has been submitted yet as legislation.
“If and when they introduce bills or amendments, we’ll take a look at them and see what improvements, changes have been made, over what the House has acted on previously and what the Senate has acted on,” Brown said.
“If he’s committed to breaking the budget impasse he needs to work with us, and work with me,” Durkin said of the speaker. “If he doesn’t talk to us nor work with us, to me it is just a reflection on his desire to do nothing and to make sure that the governor is the one who will be hurt next year in the gubernatorial campaign.” […]
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the package would be reviewed when filed, but noted that House Democrats had passed measures on similar “topics.” He also criticized the governor for moving the goal posts.
“Well, you know the governor has been known to take different positions at different hours of the day and night and different days of the week,” Brown said. “So, I guess we’ll have to see how they validate that.”
If you can get 90 percent in politics, you take it and do a victory dance. Unless, perhaps, you are Gov. Bruce Rauner.
On Friday, Rauner’s secretary of education, Beth Purvis, said the governor supports “90 percent” of a bill passed by Democrats in the state Legislature to make school funding fairer in Illinois. But, she said, he wants more.
We can only wonder, as we have before, about the governor’s notions when it comes to compromise.
Sign the bill when it reaches your desk, governor. Grab a win. […]
Politics is the art of the imperfect, where 90 percent can make for an excellent deal.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. That SJ-R headline was the worst in Bruce Rauner’s 2+ years as governor.
Today, the JB for Governor campaign launched new digital ads holding Bruce Rauner accountable for planning to veto an education funding bill he mostly supports. The new ads will be part of the multimedia Crisis Creatin’ Rauner Campaign, designed to highlight Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership and the Illinois families paying the price.
Rauner talked about fixing school funding reform for years, even forming a task force on the issue, and supports 90% of the bill, but is still cowardly abandoning the issue and his responsibility to Illinois families and students.
The digital ad campaign will hold Rauner accountable, with Facebook ads allowing Illinoisans across the state to contact their failed governor with a single click. This brand-new feature will ensure that Rauner is accessible to the Illinois families and students he is letting down. The ad campaign will also include banner ads on local online publications across the state.
“Bruce Rauner refuses to stand with Illinois families demanding he fix the school funding formula and invest in the education of our students. It is time he hears directly from them,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Bruce Rauner has no idea what it means to lead and compromise, so much so that he can’t bring himself to sign critical legislation that he 90% agrees with. Either his talk on fixing school funding was just another political stunt or Rauner is unable to put aside his stubborn agenda for the benefit of Illinois students. Either way, Illinois families are angry and it is time Bruce Rauner starts listening.”
It’s been two weeks since the Illinois General Assembly adjourned — and more than two years since lawmakers have reached a budget compromise, and Wednesday NBC 5 has learned Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected call lawmakers back to Springfield for a Special Session next week.
The governor’s office says it will not comment, however sources tell NBC 5 Rauner will announce a Special Session to begin June 21 for every day through June 30th. The new fiscal year begins July 1st.
By the governor calling the Special Session — the lawmakers would be paid $111 each day as well as 39 cents per mile to and from Springfield. The Chicago Tribune has estimated that adds up to costing taxpayers approximately 40-thousand dollars a day.
*** UPDATE 2 *** SB 2214, the Senate’s budget bill, is now online. Click here to read it.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From Sen. Bill Brady’s (Bloomington) press release on his newly introduced spending package contained in SB 2214…
Brady’s proposal includes a total of six budget related bills that contain a balanced $36 billion operating budget for FY18. Additionally, Brady’s plan proposes appropriations to pay off remaining FY16 bills as well as the balance of FY17 appropriations. It also includes a hard spending-cap of roughly $36 billion in general funds.
“I have always said that any deal we pass must be fair to the taxpayers of this state, which is why my budget includes a four-year spending-cap of $36 billion. If our constituents have to live within their means, it’s time for their state government to do the same,” noted Brady.
Under the legislation, the state would be allowed to issue up to $6 billion in revenue bonds to significantly reduce the state’s backlog of unpaid bills, saving the state millions of dollars on late-payment interest costs.
Brady’s budget increases funding for K-12 education by $250 million for the new evidence-based school funding formula, as well as providing a $35 million increase for Early Childhood Education. The budget also includes $156 million in pension parity for Chicago Public Schools while reducing the controversial Chicago Block Grant by $200 million.
Yep, cutting the CPS block grant and coming up $60 million shy of the earlier agreed CPS pension payment will really go down well with the Democratic leadership.
Notice that these are all bills introduced in their original chambers, so they have to start afresh (meaning three days of readings in each chamber) unless they find appropriate vehicles.
An appropriations measure was filed on Wednesday afternoon and five other bills will be filed on Thursday, according to State Sen. Bill Brady’s office. Numbers released by Brady’s office show the Republican plan shows higher revenue totals for sales taxes — about $75 million more — and less money coming from the personal income tax hike — about $230 million less.
CPS says in a statement that the budget plan isn’t a compromise at all but “part of Rauner’s insistence that he gets all of what he wants to sign on to a bill, even if it means students living in poverty across Illinois get none of the state support they need.”
Among other things, CPS officials say, moving to a per-pupil rather than per-district funding plan like the new legislation proposes would have cut funding for two-thirds of the state last year. CPS along might lose up to $400 million, they add, based on an earlier version of the legislation.
Parents worried their children could be exposed to lead in public school drinking water, and residents who may be unable to heat and cool their homes during extreme weather were among the citizens calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner to end his 700-day budget impasse Wednesday at a budget hearing in Chicago.
“Legislators are hearing directly from the victims of Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis, and their message is clear: It’s time for the governor to end this impasse,” said House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. “While the governor wants to see these people as ‘props’ and calls their stories a ‘sham,’ House Democrats will continue to work to build consensus to end budget impasse.”
Legislators on the House Appropriations-General Services Committee heard testimony from parents who expressed outrage that the governor’s budget crisis might prevent the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency from being able to effectively screen for lead in drinking water. Recently, dangerous levels of lead were discovered in a number of public schools, prompting outcry from parents.
“If there were even a hint that the drinking water in the schools Governor Rauner and his wealthy friends send their children to, I’m sure the governor spared no expense to fix the problem, and waste no time patting himself on the back in front of TV cameras. But when it’s actually happening in my neighborhood, to my children, Bruce Rauner would rather play games than do anything,” said Emma Jones, a resident of Chicago’s South Side whose children attend a school where high levels of lead were recently reported. “Our children’s lives are just as important as yours are, governor. But our children’s lives are at risk because you won’t do your job.”
Rauner’s budget crisis has also jeopardized funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps tens of thousands of Illinois citizens—including homebound elderly residents—cope with extreme heat and cold. Without this important service, low-income families could have a more difficult time finding the money to afford their rent, put food on the table, and provide other necessities.
“Governor Rauner has no idea what families like ours go through,” said Isaiah Spencer, a resident of Chicago who relies on LIHEAP to heat and cool his home during dangerous weather conditions. “The governor needs to stop using families like mine as pawns in his games. The governor needs to do his job and negotiate a budget.”
Rauner has insisted legislators rubber stamp his changes to pad the profits of big corporations and further enrich wealthy CEOs and big insurance companies before he will negotiate a budget. Democrats have worked to compromise with the governor in order to get down to the business of passing a balanced budget. While Rauner has talked about a property tax freeze, House Democrats went further and voted to cut property taxes. Acting on the governor’s demands, Democrats have passed significant reforms to the workers’ compensation system, voted to sell the Thompson Center and reformed the state procurement system. Democrats worked to pass a package of economic reforms that levels the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses in our communities and invests in businesses that invest in Illinois. But while Democrats have worked to find common ground with the governor the items he holds as pre-conditions to negotiating a state budget, the governor has refused to come back to the table.
“Where we can compromise with the governor without hurting middle-class families, we’ve worked to find common ground,” Madigan said. “Working families, the elderly, students and their parents and so many more are being directly harmed by Governor Rauner’s budget crisis.”
* Click here for the background if you need to catch up. I’m told that the Senate will not file its budget plan until tomorrow morning, so we won’t know the real details until then. I’m still waiting on the reform bills from the House, but they may be delayed too.
…Adding… The Senate is going ahead with its appropriations bill filing today. Stand by.
Rauner’s office confirmed the governor is willing to sign this package if it passes the Legislature. Earlier, he had laid out general terms but not, to my knowledge, specifically promised to sign any package of legislation.
That’s true. It’s a major first for the governor, who has played coy for well over two years. Give him credit for that.
But it means Gov. Rauner is now on record supporting the Senate Democrats’ tax hike plan with a couple of alterations: 1) Four years instead of permanent; 2) It won’t be retroactive to January 1st, so they’ll lose a bunch of revenues that will have to be made up in however they deal with the mountain of overdue bills (borrowing is most likely).
I’m told the Republicans won’t introduce their own tax hike bill, but will instead insist that SB 9 be amended or a new version filed.
* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
Illinois legislative Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a new budget plan that they say is balanced and includes meaningful reforms to grow the economy. It also includes tax increases.
At a news conference at Chicago’s Thomson Center attended by several GOP senators and representatives, Republican lawmakers said their latest plan incorporates a number of tax increases that were part of the Senate’s grand bargain, but with a few changes.
Senate Democrats approved a plan last month to permanently raise the income tax by 32 percent, from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, with no Republican support. Under the new GOP plan unveiled Wednesday, the increase would expire after four years. The four-year expiration date would coincide with a four-year property tax freeze that also is in the GOP plan. The income tax hike also would not be retroactive to Jan. 1, as the Democrat plan is, but would go into effect beginning July 1.
A family with annual income of $60,000 would pay the state an additional $720 a year under the GOP tax hike proposal, with their tax bills spiking from $2,250 to $2,970.
The property tax freeze includes an exemption on existing debt service payments as requested by Senate Democrats, but also would allow residents to lower or increase their taxes through voter referendum.
Most importantly, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said Rauner would sign the new plan if passed. And he noted Republican votes are essential to passing a budget plan.
Beginning on June 1, a three-fifths majority is required to pass bills rather than a simple majority. That means any budget plan will now need 71 votes to pass and require Republican support.
“If he’s committed to breaking the budget impasse he needs to work with us, and work with me,” Durkin said of the speaker. “If he doesn’t talk to us nor work with us, to me it is just a reflection on his desire to do nothing and to make sure that the governor is the one who will be hurt next year in the gubernatorial campaign.”
Also, note that the Senate Democrats aren’t as negative about the plan this afternoon as they were earlier in the day…
John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, said there’s hope the Republican plan “is a serious, real step toward” compromise. He said the Senate president will wait for the bills to be filed to review the details and see how to proceed.
* The bottom line here is that the Senate Democrats, the governor and both Republican caucuses have all unveiled their own plans. The odd man out here is Speaker Madigan. It’s now his move.
To wit, Kennedy also appears to be a firm believer in the doctrine of centrist both-sidesism: that the problem with politics is that both major parties cater to their extremes, and what’s required is a politician who will bravely walk the middle of the road.
“In the sixties and seventies, it was really a fight for the middle, that is . . . undecided voters, let’s say independent voters,” he told WGN Radio in 2014. “Today it’s all about trying to motivate the extreme ends of the spectrum, trying to get hardcore liberals or hardcore conservatives to turn out, and that creates a gulf where we need a bridge.”
Of course, Democrats have employed this kind of rhetoric as justification for drifting further and further to the right — despite the fact that the general population is far more inclined toward “extreme” left-wing policies than many politicians and commentators will have you believe. Kennedy’s worldview appears to be one of reflexively tacking to the center at all costs — much like another recent Democratic politician for whom that tactic failed miserably.
Um, Hillary Clinton won Illinois by 17 points. She screwed up badly in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, but she most certainly didn’t “fail miserably” here.
The hit piece was written by a reporter who lives in New Zealand, and it really shows.
While it’s still early going, Kennedy has some key institutional backing for his run. He appears to have the backing of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who said Kennedy would make an “excellent candidate,” and whose staffers met with Kennedy during the DNC last year.
The piece also dredges up the Bill Ayers, Steven Salaita and James Kilgore controversies, which would probably only be important to extreme leftists. It also does things like try to make a big deal out of a $1,000 campaign contribution.
Along with the rest of his family, Kennedy has also continued to benefit from a piece of accounting wizardry that has inoculated his family’s wealth from taxes. As Carol O’Donnell of Forbes outlined, the Kennedys have long used “dynasty trusts” to both protect their wealth from the greed of individual family members, as well as shield it from the government’s busy hands.
But upon selling Merchandise Mart to Vornado Realty in 1998, the family also potentially avoided paying capital gains tax on the sale by entering into an “operating partnership unit” with the company, giving the Kennedys an ownership stake in Vornado. This also means that individual Kennedys have been reaping millions of dollars in dividends for years. Given that Chris Kennedy was the Vornado Realty Trust’s executive officer from 2000 to 2011, it’s likely he did, too.
The Pritzker family also has a lot of these sorts of trusts. We could all be learning much more about this subject in the coming months.
The plaintiffs in that case include groups that provide services to people with disabilities, mental health problems and the like. (It also includes the social service organization run by Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner.) They argue that because the Rauner administration entered into contracts with them, they too should be getting paid — with or without a state budget.
* Comptroller Susana Mendoza has been writing letters to the editor this week. From her letter to the Southern Illinoisan…
At high school graduation parties this month, after congratulating the bright grad and their proud parents, make a note to ask where they plan on attending college.
Thanks to the state budget crisis, the higher education destination of choice for many Illinois teens is “out of state.” Every year, about 32,000 Illinois high school grads go out-of-state to college while only about 16,000 out-of-staters come here. That’s a net loss of 16,000 college bound students to out-of-state schools. They’re fleeing because they know the future of our state’s higher education institutions is unpredictable.
Under Gov. Bruce Rauner, funding for public four-year universities has been cut by $1.4 billion, or 60 percent. Funding for community colleges has dropped by two-thirds, or nearly half a billion dollars.
By failing to fund MAP grants, Rauner has put more than 100,000 Illinois students at risk of being unable to complete their studies.
Funding cuts have caused state universities to eliminate 1,400 jobs since Gov. Rauner took office.
There are no short-term solutions — state universities can’t fund capital improvements or borrow their way to temporary relief because downgrades from credit agencies have lowered their bond rating to junk status.
The impact of Rauner’s policies extends beyond campuses. Our universities employ more than 175,000 Illinoisans and generate more than $28 billion in annual economic activity. Studies show every $1 invested in higher education generates $4 in economic activity. Every lost job represents a family, a homeowner and a neighbor. Every lost dollar hurts businesses and impacts funding for local schools, infrastructure and first responders. Corporate leaders should be up in arms about losing our best and brightest.
* The letters are “personalized” for the region. Here’s her letter that appeared in the QC Times…
Western Illinois University’s budget has been cut by 55 percent since 2015. Degree programs have been eliminated, more than 200 staffers have been let go so far and mandatory staff furloughs have been implemented. Student fees have been hiked and the school is making $20 million in cuts.
So what should our college communities and students do amidst Rauner’s wreckage?
First, see how your local legislators have responded to the state’s higher education crisis. Remaining silent while our historic public institutions are decimated is unacceptable. Though it was recently unthinkable, some won’t survive to benefit future graduates without immediate relief.
We need a budget now. Legislators can stop the destruction taking place in their backyards and start rebuilding our state colleges and universities. The most important step is putting our communities ahead of Rauner’s political agenda.
But don’t just take it from me. Before they leave town, ask a college-bound senior what they think about the damage being done to our public universities. Their high school civics lessons will still be fresh in their minds – they can probably even explain how the state constitution says it’s the governor’s responsibility to introduce a balanced budget for the General Assembly to act upon – and they can truly put this unfolding tragedy in perspective for you.
* Related…
* Woman on Fire: The Illinois budget debacle has left both sides bruised, but state comptroller Susana Mendoza has emerged from the fight more powerful than ever
* JB Pritzker appeared on WBEZ this morning and was asked about the leaked FBI recordings of him talking with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2008. Pritzker repeated his claims from earlier that he knew before he ever announced that Gov. Rauner would “throw everything and the kitchen sink at me because, frankly, he’s got nothing to run on and they are afraid, the GOP and Bruce Rauner, are afraid to run against me.”
Pritzker also once again pointed what he considered to be the suspicious timing of the “leak,” which he says occurred on the final day of spring session when the governor couldn’t get a budget passed for the third time in a row. “So, at the close of the day with nothing to talk about, this is what they throw out there.”
When reminded that a Tribune reporter had earlier said that these recordings didn’t come from the Rauner campaign, Pritzker said…
“He said it didn’t come from Bruce Rauner. He didn’t say it didn’t come from the GOP. He didn’t say it didn’t come from the Koch brothers’ network. So, remember, they’re all in league with one another. So, he only excluded Bruce Rauner [and] I don’t think Bruce Rauner did pick up the phone and call them. So, this is a political hit.”
An ILGOP official flagged this audio for me earlier today, saying Pritzker “goes full on conspiracy theory.”
My own suspicion is that these tapes might’ve been leaked by one of Blagojevich’s defense attorneys (or perhaps a defense lawyer for a different defendant in the same case). Whether the leak was conveniently timed or whether the Trib has had these tapes for a while and the reporters just went back to listen to them is perhaps something for the FBI to consider if it ever looks into this breach of a federal judge’s seal.
We don’t ever talk about sourcing on these kinds of issues. I know the [Pritzker] campaign threw out a Bruce Rauner allegation. That’s not correct. I can say that. […]
This is Tribune reporting going back over … We have had routes for information on this case. I mean for me personally I’ve been protecting sources on this case back to 2006.
* An analysis of the new Republican budget/reform plan can be read by clicking here. No legislation has been filed as I write this. I’ll update with bill numbers when I get them. You can hear the entire GOP press conference by clicking here. The GOP press release is here.
* As expected, there was lots of hyperpartisanship on display at today’s Republican press conference to unveil their new budget and reform plan, which they said would be signed by Gov. Rauner if it was passed.
House GOP Leader Jim Durkin, for instance, said Speaker Madigan’s members should “no longer put up with Madigan’s my way or the highway” approach. He said if an agreement could not be reached by the end of June, it would all be on Madigan’s head.
Leader Durkin insisted that the Republicans would not settle for “reform light” and that the final plan must be in “substantial compliance” with the proposals set forth today. If the Democrats counter with something that is “significantly diluted,” he said he and the governor wouldn’t accept it.
Sen. Karen McConnaughay said that the two sides were “very close” on an agreement in the Senate, but that the bills the Senate actually passed “didn’t reflect what we had been negotiating.” McConnaughay said it was the Democrats who “walked away” from the talks.
Sen. Dale Righter insisted that the package presented today “are compromises,” claiming “We’re putting on paper what the Democratic majority said they needed in the meetings… So, we are already there.”
* But is this really a compromise? The Senate Democrats ultimately rejected a four-year property tax freeze, but the Republicans say their four-year freeze is a compromise from Rauner’s permanent freeze - except the governor has been saying for weeks that he wants a four-year freeze.
A local government consolidation bill has already passed, but the Republicans now say they want to allow voters to initiate referendums on their own to consolidate government. This is another demand from the governor’s office, which had quietly threatened to veto the previous consolidation bill. Rank and file Republicans promised they’d push for a trailer bill if he agreed to sign it, and this proposal is apparently that plan.
The education funding reform bill “compromise” seems mainly targeted at Chicago, reducing many of the gains CPS made with the Democrats’ bill.
And the term limits proposal expands the concept from the originally agreed (in the Senate) limit on legislative leaders to include all constitutional officers.
* The Republicans also want a “hard” spending cap of $36 billion over four years. The Senate Democrats’ bill spent over $37 billion.
The budget proposal would also cut revenue sharing to local governments (which would, remember, have their property taxes capped) and transit agencies.
“Today’s press conference was more of the same from Bruce Rauner and the politicians he controls. Our state and its people are suffering while Bruce Rauner, the well-connected and their millionaire friends will continue to be just fine. There aren’t enough slick talking points, fancy poster boards or campaign commercials to change that. Until Speaker Madigan and Bruce Rauner sit down with each other - face to face - and hammer out a compromise, our state will continue down a path towards bankruptcy.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Senate President Cullerton’s spokesman John Patterson via text…
Hmm. Kinda speaks for itself. I don’t think three-page press releases are what Illinois needs. I hope there is real legislative language coming to back this up, language that rank-and-file Republicans will support and that the governor is committed to signing. Bipartisan compromise is the only way out of this now that the May 31 deadline passed. But a Republicans-only press conference in mid June doesn’t exactly scream bipartisanship. Where’s this plan been hiding the last six months?
* From the Senate Republicans…
Sen. Brady will be filing the budget, and Sen. Barickman will be filing the school funding measure, this afternoon.
The reform components of the Capitol Compromise will be introduced in the House.
Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, Madigan’s point person on budget items, was restrained.
“I’m glad they did it. I’m glad they just laid out their position,” he told me.
But without review, the plan at first glance seems to be based mostly on old proposals, Harris added. “There are some things in there that Democrats and Republicans could support. There are some things that our caucus has not supported in the past. The devil’s in the details. It will take some time (to review.)
Somewhat more negative was Madigan spokesman Steve Brown: “Most of these ideas have been considered by the House in the past. I’m not sure whether any of it is a compromise.”
Neither Brown nor Harris would say when the House might vote on a budget, either the one that’s already cleared the Senate or one of their own.
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in his bid for governor.
“I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with Daniel over the years, and quickly came to appreciate his intellect, his wisdom and especially his great character,” said Brad Schneider. “I’ve watched him boldly step up and lead on issues like income inequality, women’s health care, and protecting our environment. Put simply, Daniel possesses the qualities we desperately need in our next governor: he is honest about our problems, unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom with new ideas, and keenly focused on what the people of Illinois need. Daniel knows that by putting people first, we can tackle our state’s challenges head on, and secure a better future for Illinois’s children. Because of his track record and his character, I’m proud to support Daniel.”
“I’m honored to have Brad’s support in this race,” said Daniel Biss. “Brad has always been a thoughtful and valued partner at the federal level, consistently demonstrating what strong advocacy on behalf of his constituents looks like. This has never been as urgent as it is today, as Brad is on the front lines of defending Illinois residents against Donald Trump’s attacks. As a friend, an ally, and a leader, I’m excited to work with Brad on our critical mission to put people first, and take our state back.”
Schneider is throwing his support behind Biss — one of seven other Democratic candidates — in a swing district that saw narrow wins last year by Democrats U.S Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Rauner won the district by 12 points in 2014. […]
Another gubernatorial candidate, State Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, is also in Schneider’s district, and the two have hosted events together. Drury didn’t endorse a candidate in Schneider’s 2016 primary race against Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering.
Reached for comment, Drury noted he didn’t ask for Schneider’s support.
“We appreciate the work Brad does in Congress. Consistent with past practice, we did not seek his endorsement in this race,” Drury said in a statement. “This remains a two-way race — those with proven loyalties to the Madigan machine versus our campaign. We like our odds.”
* I’ve seen the responses by the ILGOP, the governor and most of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates to the Tribune’s property tax appeals series. But, curiously enough, JB Pritzker has been silent. Perhaps it was because of his own issues on this topic, or perhaps he’s still laying low after the release of the Blagojevich audio tapes.
Anyway, I asked for a response and here’s what the Pritzker people sent me…
“The property tax system in Cook County is flawed. We need to look at ways to make sure that every county across our state is investing in and upgrading its technology to assist in evaluating the millions of properties being assessed. We also need to continue simplifying and making it easier for residents to appeal assessment inaccuracies even without the help of a professional. Residents need to know their rights when it comes to asking for a reassessment, and educating homeowners should be a priority. When studies show inequality, it’s the government’s job to put in place remedies that ensure every resident is being treated fairly under the system.”
The shooter at the GOP congressional baseball practice this morning is James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., according to law enforcement officials. Hodgkinson, 66, owns a home inspection business. His home inspection license expired in November 2016 and was not renewed, state records show.
Hodgkinson was charged in April 2006 with battery and aiding damage to a motor vehicle, according to online records in St. Clair County, Illinois. The charges were dismissed, records show.
Charles Orear, 50, a restaurant manager from St. Louis, said in an interview Wednesday that he became friendly with James T. Hodgkinson, whom law enforcement officials identified as the shooter, during their work in Iowa on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign. Orear said Hodgkinson was a passionate progressive and showed no signs of violence or malice toward others.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Orear said when told by phone. “I met him on the Bernie trail in Iowa, worked with him in the Quad Cities area.”
Orear described Hodgkinson as a “quiet guy” who was “very mellow, very reserved” when they stayed overnight at a Sanders’s supporter home in Rock Island, Ill., after canvassing for the senator.
“He was this union tradesman, pretty stocky, and we stayed up talking politics,” he said. “He was more on the really progressive side of things.”
Two days ago, Hodgkinson posted an angry tweet about President Donald Trump on Facebook.
“I Want to Say Mr. President, for being an [expletive deleted] you are Truly the Biggest [expletive deleted] We Have Ever Had in the Oval Office,” he wrote on Facebook.
Hodgkinson took a Democratic ballot in the primary election in 2016.
In 2012, Hodgkinson took part in a protest outside the downtown Belleville post office. He said he was part of a “99%” team drawing attention to the amount of money and political power the top 1 percent of Americans acquired.
* Rodney Davis was there, but not hurt…
GOP congressman: “I never thought I’d play a baseball game for charity, go to practice… and have to dodge bullets.” https://t.co/o956SLUXGv
Late yesterday, Moody’s downgraded the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Sales Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds two notches from A1 to A3, and assigned a negative outlook. Also affected by this action are Series 2006 Building Refunding Revenue Bonds issued through the Public Building Commission of Chicago to refinance CTA’s headquarters, with $67 million outstanding; the rating on these bonds was lowered to Baa1 from A2. The negative outlook connotes continued downward pressure on the rating and the possibility of another downgrade in the next 12-24 months.
The downgrades are driven primarily by the authority’s exposure to the State of Illinois, which was downgraded to Baa3 from Baa2 on June 1, amid an extended political impasse in the Illinois General Assembly over how to balance the state’s budget. After two years of failing to reach an agreement, and operating with substantial budget deficits, the state has allowed a backlog of payments owed to CTA and other public- and private-sector entities to rise to record levels ($14.68 billion in aggregate as of June 5, according to the state comptroller). This prolonged impasse is putting pressure on various entities like CTA that are awaiting payment from the state.
The State of Illinois also collects regional sales taxes that support CTA and other Chicago-area transit providers, and it also provides other forms of supplemental funding. Like the state itself, CTA faces a worsening pension funding burden. Failure to make required annual pension contributions could jeopardize the flow of funds to holders of some of the authority’s debt, although to date CTA has made all required contributions.
* From the report…
Credit Challenges
» Economic and financial pressure caused by state and local governments’ overlapping pension liabilities, which will limit the ability to increase revenues for capital or operating needs
» Exposure to credit deterioration of related governments including the state and Chicago
» State aid payment deferrals and absence of state plan to address backlog of unpaid bills
» Backlog of capital investment needs and large unfunded authority pension liabilities
Rating Outlook
The negative outlook incorporates the state’s continuing credit deterioration, which threatens to exacerbate ongoing aid payment delays in coming months, barring an agreement to compensate for the state’s recent revenue losses. It also factors in the Chicago area’s economic vulnerability to tax increases needed to address pension liabilities, which could undermine regional sales tax revenues at a time when regional transit providers are trying to address deferred capital investment needs.
Factors that Could Lead to an Upgrade
» Stabilization of related governments’ credit positions
» Sustained trend of improving debt service coverage
» Pledge of new or increased revenues
» More stringent legal protections for bondholders
Factors that Could Lead to a Downgrade
» Substantial shortfalls in pledged sales tax revenues caused by economic conditions or other factors
» Prolonged decline in debt-service coverage, whether from increased borrowing or revenue underperformance
* Leader Radogno is out of state visiting her grandchildren, so she can’t be there today…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Senate Republican Whip Karen McConnaughay and a group of Republican lawmakers from the House and Senate will hold a press conference on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. on the 15th Floor, Blue Room of the James R. Thompson Center.
The topic of the press conference establishes a path forward on the state budget.
* Meanwhile, Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) is the House Republican floor leader and called an “emergency town hall meeting” the other day…
Andersson said he disagrees with those who say no budget is better than a bad budget.
“Our cash flow would be so limited, that we may default on our debt,” Andersson said. “Our bonds won’t get paid. Our state employees would not get paid.”
Instead, Andersson supports various plans to create a sustainable budget, one that is “a real budget, not a fake budget, not a feel-good budget.”
Raising the personal income tax rate to 4.95 percent and the corporate tax rate to 7 percent, along with some other taxes, would help shore up the state’s need for revenue to pay its bills, its pensions and support its programs, Andersson said.
“I do not want to raise taxes, but I was hired by you to govern,” Andersson said. “If we do not do something, we will fail as a state in a year.”
So, that looks like he essentially supports the Senate Democrats’ revenue plan.
Andersson went on to say that he doesn’t want a stand-alone school funding bill to put pressure on everybody to finally wrap things up.
The Illinois Republican Party is holding a Monday night fundraiser featuring all seven members of the state’s GOP delegation to the U.S. House plus what organizers are calling a “special guest” in Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The event is called “Cocktails with the Congressmen” and tickets start at $100 per person, with $10,000 required to play “host” at the Rosemont outpost of Gene & Georgetti.
Those paying $2,500 or more per person will gain access to a special hourlong reception prior to the general reception cattle call. Along with Rauner, scheduled to attend are Republican U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam of Wheaton, Randy Hultgren of Plano, Adam Kinzinger of Channahon, Rodney Davis of Taylorville, John Shimkus of Collinsville, Darin LaHood of Peoria and Mike Bost of Murphysboro.
