* This AFSCME Council 31 handout to members was scanned by a reader and then converted to text. I’ve tried to correct most of the conversion errors. The original document is here…
Drastically reducing the group insurance benefit for state employees has been a priority for Governor Rauner since Day 1. Even before contract negotiations got underway, the Governor made cutting the state’s insurance plan a pillar of his budget proposal building $700 million in cuts to the group health plan into his budget. Even though his staff admitted in legislative testimony that changes would have to be negotiated with state employee unions, the governor is now demanding that legislators amend the collective bargaining law to ban negotiations over health care benefits.
At the bargaining table, Rauner is pushing for two radical changes to the group insurance benefit which could increase employee costs by thousands of dollars each year: He is proposing to drastically increase the share of the premium paid by employees and drastically increase the out of pocket costs when employees access healthcare.
Rauner wants to double the employee premium contribution to 40% of the cost for single coverage - and to 40% of the cost for dependent coverage too. By federal law, the cost for single coverage is capped at 9.5% of income. However, there is no cap at all on the premium contribution for dependent coverage. This proposal represents a significant change in a number of ways:
1. Currently employees pay a fixed dollar amount toward premiums that is specified in the contract. Moving to paying a percentage of the premium cost means that employee costs would rise each year based on any increase in the state’s healthcare costs.
2. Currently employees who make less pay a little less for health insurance, and employees that make more pay a little more. This proposal eliminates protections for lower paid workers, as everyone will be paying the same amount for group insurance.
3. Increasing the employee premium contribution from 19% (the current average contribution) to 40% puts Illinois outside the norm of other states. The national average for state employee premium contributions is 16%.
Rauner also wants to lower the insurance plan’s value and institute massive cost shifting onto employees through high out of pocket costs. The Administration is proposing a health plan with a 60% actuarial value. This means that on average, the health plan will pay 60% of allowable health care expenses, with the employee paying 40% of the cost through deductibles, copays and co-insurance.
• The current actuarial value of the Illinois group health plan is 93%. This mirrors state employee group insurance plans in other states. The average state government health plan nationwide had an actuarial value of 92% in 2013; the Midwest average is 93%.
• The Administration’s proposal does not include any specific changes to co-pays, deductibles, etc. Rather, it would delegate a committee to develop the new out of pocket costs based on its demand that employees pay a total of 40% of health care expenditures.
These proposed changes to health benefits would move Illinois from average to dead last when compared to other states.
• The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ranks plans as: platinum (best); gold; silver; bronze (worst). 60% actuarial value equates to “bronze” level coverage under the ACA.
• The average bronze level plan for an individual has a deductible of $5,400 and an out-of pocket maximum of $6,350. Bronze level plans would result in staggering and unaffordable cost increases for state employees. These plans have out of pocket costs at or near what is allowable under the ACA:
o $6,600 for single
o $13,200 for family
• 96% of states have a group health benefit that equates to an ACA “platinum” plan (valued over 80%).
• Only two states have “gold” level plans (valued at 80%)
• No other state has an employee health insurance plan with an actuarial value as low as 60%
* Hyperpartisan Democrats have been occasionally suggesting in comments that Gov. Rauner be recalled by voters. We’ve had even more today, so I feel I need to “front page” this topic.
Like all hyperpartisans, these recall enthusiasts are clueless.
The recall of the Governor may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties.
15 percent of 3,627,690 total votes cast last year would be 544,154 signatures. That’s a whole lot, not to mention the 25 county requirement.
A petition shall have been signed by the petitioning electors not more than 150 days after an affidavit has been filed with the State Board of Elections providing notice of intent to circulate a petition to recall the Governor. The affidavit may be filed no sooner than 6 months after the beginning of the Governor’s term of office. The affidavit shall have been signed by the proponent of the recall petition, at least 20 members of the House of Representatives, and at least 10 members of the Senate, with no more than half of the signatures of members of each chamber from the same established political party.
Can anybody out there name 10 House Republicans and 5 Senate Republicans who would sign such an affidavit?
Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
* Don’t clog up our comment section here with your goofy recall rants. You’ll be banned for life and forced to flee to a newspaper website, where nobody cares.
* I keep hearing this over and over about Sen. Mark Kirk…
He hasn’t had much of a filter on what he says in recent years. Whether that has anything to do with the stroke he suffered in 2012, I don’t know. It seems he was once more cautious. Now words just pop out of there.
Kirk has always had a mouth problem. That didn’t stop him from thumping his opponent five years ago. Underestimate him at your own risk.
I’m not making any excuses for his “bro with no ho” remarks. There are no excuses. But he’s apologized, so let’s move on to the question of whether he can hold his own against whomever the Democrats nominate.
Now, you may not agree with everything he said, but you have to admit that he was quite sharp and handled himself very well.
He has trouble giving long speeches (which don’t happen much in politics these days anyway), but he appears to have no trouble at all with answering questions.
* And here he is being interviewed at length not long ago by Bruce Dold at Elmhurst College…
Again, you may not agree with some of his statements, but he doesn’t look weak or ineffectual to me.
Kirk obviously needs to hold his tongue more often, but I think he’ll hold his own in the coming campaign, particularly with a potential opponent like this…
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Andrea Zopp was one of 19 character witnesses listed to testify Friday in Springfield for her friend Quinshaunta Golden, who is facing a decade or more in prison for her role in a multimillion-dollar theft and bribery scheme involving government grants and contracts awarded by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
But Zopp — who’s seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois — said Wednesday, “I’m not going to be able to testify.
“The sentencing’s been moved countless times,” Zopp said. “I couldn’t make it work to go to Springfield. It’s an all-day trip. I couldn’t rearrange my schedule to make that happen.”
So much for the jobs-killer rep—when it comes to states that are growing new businesses, Illinois is among the top U.S. leaders.
The Land of Lincoln ranked No. 2 among states where businesses are being created the fastest, according to numbers released yesterday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The number of business startups in Illinois jumped 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter compared with a year earlier. The only state beating Illinois was Massachusetts—home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—whose fourth-quarter number rose 5.6 percent.
Education seems to be a common thread among the top business-creating states, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Washington-based Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a research group that promotes innovation. […]
The density of young firms and population diversity, including an area’s ability to attract immigrants, are among the factors that helped some metropolitan areas and states stand out, said Arnobio Morelix, a research analyst who studies startups at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Mo.
Illinois fits that bill, aided by Chicago’s status as one of the fastest-growing cities for technology jobs, with a rapidly-growing tech community in River North.
One hundred fifty years ago today, the U.S. Army took possession of Galveston Island, a barrier island just off the Texas coast that guards the entrance to Galveston Bay, and began a late-arriving, long-lasting war against slavery in Texas. This little-known battle would endure for months after the end of what we normally think of as the Civil War. This struggle, pitting Texas freedpeople and loyalists and the U.S. Army against stubborn defenders of slavery, would become the basis for the increasingly popular celebrations of Juneteenth, a predominantly African-American holiday celebrating emancipation on or about June 19th every year.
The historical origins of Juneteenth are clear. On June 19, 1865, U.S. Major General Gordon Granger, newly arrived with 1,800 men in Texas, ordered that “all slaves are free” in Texas and that there would be an “absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.” The idea that any such proclamation would still need to be issued in June 1865 – two months after the surrender at Appomattox - forces us to rethink how and when slavery and the Civil War really ended. And in turn it helps us recognize Juneteenth as not just a bookend to the Civil War but as a celebration and commemoration of the epic struggles of emancipation and Reconstruction.
By June 19, 1865, it had been more than two years since President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, almost five months since Congress passed the 13th Amendment, and more than two months since General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate army at Appomattox Court House. So why did Granger need to act to end slavery?
A lawyer for former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Thursday called leaks regarding the federal hush-money case against the Illinois Republican “unconscionable” and said he may ask the court to investigate.
Thomas Green, Hastert’s Washington, D.C.-based defense attorney, said during a status hearing in Chicago that he’s concerned information that’s been disclosed to the media may inhibit Hastert’s right to a fair trial.
“Something has to be done to stop these leaks,” said Green, who attended the hearing via telephone. “They’re unconscionable and they have to stop.” […]
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Block told U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin that prosecutors also find the leaks “disturbing.” He said the government is “doing everything we can” to look into it.
There are always some leaks and some helpful “assistance” provided to “friendly” reporters. But the Chicago US Attorney’s office hasn’t leaked like this in my memory.
* Rep. Phillips is a sponsor of a “right to work” bill, and now we know why…
State Rep. Reggie Phillips made his feelings on the proposed right-to-work resolution clear Thursday, saying AFSCME members are “like ants” and asking his members to lock arms and support towns that pass the resolution.
Phillips, R-Charleston, along with State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, spoke at the Charleston Chamber of Commerce’s legislative update lunch at the Unique Suites hotel. Phillips pointed to right-to-work and pension reform as two of the biggest topics state legislators are dealing with.
Phillips said he will ask Charleston city officials to resurrect the right-to-work resolution, rescinded by council members after union supporters packed council meetings to speak against it, and wants his constituents to support it.
Phillips noted he attended one of the council meetings in support of the resolution.
“There’s only 38,000 members in AFSCME (represented by the contract in Illinois),” he said. “You’d think there’s 38 million. They’re mobilized, like ants.”
Phillips said he wished Gov. Bruce Rauner and Phillips’ own supporters would have stood firm on the issue. The process of change may be painful but is necessary for the state, he said.
“Trust me, it’s like spanking a child sometimes,” he said. “The child doesn’t want to be spanked, but in the end it’s going to make them a better person.”
Conventional wisdom told us that our leaders would end their dog-and-pony shows when push came to shove, get together in the governor’s conference room at the Capitol and hammer out a compromise budget in which neither side gets all it wants but both sides can live with it.
But these are unconventional times. Rauner has been hurling insults at Madigan, who is doing a slow burn. What’s developing before our eyes is a nonviolent version of World War I trench warfare: Both sides dig in and prepare for a long, withering conflict.
“My staff will tell you that there were many times when I was governor, and particularly that first few months, I had a lot of thoughts about Mike Madigan, but I never said them publicly,” says Edgar, a Republican who served two terms in the 1990s. “I worked that out, and we got to be very good friends, actually.”
Edgar says the money Rauner is spending on campaign-style ads attacking Democrats is unnecessary and won’t lead to compromise.
“That could make it extremely difficult,” he says. “I hope that some private talks will resume.”
Edgar says it also doesn’t help when Democrats are comparing Rauner to disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He says when he was governor, in the final weeks of sessions, everyone kept their opinions to themselves and got to work, and thinks that should happen here.
Edgar also says Rauner has to realize he’s not in the private sector anymore. Democrats, in turn, must realize they can’t do things the way they’ve always done them, calling it “a new day” in Springfield, Edgar says.
After careful thought and consideration I have decided to not seek re-election as Illinois State Senator for the 47th District in the 2016 election.
It is an honor to have earned the trust and support of so many people in Western Illinois and across the state. I will continue to work hard to represent and be a voice for my constituents in Springfield as I transition to the private sector.
Sincerely,
Senator John Sullivan
Sullivan, a Democrat, represents a heavily Republican district. He told me last night that he’s not resigning before the election. The Democrats, therefore, won’t be able to put anybody into the seat to give him or her a leg up. That’s gonna be a real tough one for them to hold.
Sen. Sullivan has justly earned great respect from both sides of the aisle. He’s a class act, and that’s why his GOP voters have kept sending him back to Springfield. It’s a “Sullivan district,” not a partisan district.
He’ll be missed.
…Adding… Some decidedly unclassy spin from the IL GOP…
Senator John Sullivan, a downstate Democrat in a competitive district, announced Thursday that he is not running for re-election in 2016.
Sullivan’s announcement is an early sign that the Democrats controlled by Mike Madigan are afraid of answering to voters after their repeated failure in Springfield.
In spite of winning re-election by nearly 13 points in 2012, Sullivan bowed out of his re-election campaign less than a week after Governor Bruce Rauner visited the district and challenged voters to hold Sullivan accountable for standing with Mike Madigan. In the November election, Governor Bruce Rauner won the district by more than 36 points.
As the 30-year House Speaker and Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mike Madigan has held a firm grip on Democrats in Springfield and has enforced loyalty at all costs. Sullivan knows that if he were to run for re-election, he would not be able to distance himself from Mike Madigan.
For the Democrat legislators who continue to stand against reform to business-as-usual in Springfield, Mike Madigan’s name will be next to theirs on the ballot in November 2016.
Sullivan has won every election since 2002 by wide margins. Sen. Sullivan won a close race in 2002, beating incumbent Sen. Laura Kent Donahue by 3 points (51.5% - 48.5%), but he has coasted to victory in every election since. (Illinois Board of Elections, Accessed 6/18/2015)
2004: Sen. Sullivan (D) beat Republican Tom Ernst by 24 points (61.8% - 38.2%).
2008: Sen. Sullivan (D) won re-election unopposed.
2012: Sen. Sullivan (D) beat Republican Randy Frese by nearly 13 points (56.4% - 43.6%).
Just three weeks ago, Sullivan blindly supported his Democrat party boss Mike Madigan by voting for a budget that was unbalanced by more than $3 billion. “House Democrats worked into the evening Tuesday to push through major parts of a new budget they acknowledge is at least $3 billion short in an effort to force new Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to eventually go along with a tax increase to fill the deficit.” (Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger,
“Illinois Democrats Push Ahead With Budget That’s $3 Billion Short,” Chicago Tribune, 5/26/2015)
Sullivan voted to pass Madigan’s unbalanced FY2016 budget bill. (Illinois General Assembly Records, Accessed 6/18/2015)
Sullivan has taken $1,037,820 from Democrat Party committees controlled by Mike Madigan. (Illinois Board of Elections, Accessed 6/18/2015)
Last week, Governor Bruce Rauner visited Sullivan’s district and challenged voters to hold Sullivan accountable for standing with Mike Madigan. “[Gov. Bruce Rauner] said he wants people to get in touch with their representatives and ask them: “Are you for taxpayers or the Chicago political machine?”‘” (WGEM, “Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner Challenges Voters To Pressure Lawmakers,” WGEM.com, 6/11/2015)
Governor Bruce Rauner won Sullivan’s district by 36 points (65% - 29%) in the November 2014 election. The rural Western Illinois district covers all or part of 11 counties, including Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren. Governor Rauner won the district by 36 points and the most populous county in the district by 56 points (Adams, 76.4% - 19.3%). (Illinois Board of Elections, Accessed 6/18/2015)
“Plain and simple: Sen. John Sullivan is running from Mike Madigan. After voting for a budget that was unbalanced by $4 billion and accepting over $1 million from Madigan’s Democrat Party over the years, John Sullivan knows that he can’t justify his actions to his constituents. In the past, Democrats have voted with Madigan in Springfield and then distanced themselves to voters at home. But now, Governor Rauner is not letting Democrats like Sullivan get away with it. Countless Democrats represent districts throughout the state where Madigan is loathed by voters. By November 2016, these voters will know that a vote for a Democrat in the state legislature is a vote for the failed status quo controlled by Mike Madigan,” said Nick Klitzing, Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party.
May Jobs in Illinois Increase +9,200; Job Growth Still Lagging Behind Other States
Illinois Unemployment Rate Remains at 6 percent
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that Illinois’ unemployment rate in May held steady at 6.0 percent. The state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate reported for May, which inched up from the prior month to 5.5 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment gained +9,200 jobs, based on preliminary data released by the Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The BLS revised April data which showed a further increase in Illinois’ job gain from a preliminary +4,800 to +5,400. Illinois has gained an average of 5,300 jobs per month since recovery from the 2008-09 recession while a majority of other states have seen a quicker recovery, per BLS data. The number of jobs in Illinois will not reach pre-recession levels until approximately June 2016, according to IDES analysts’ estimations.
“Though 9,200 new jobs are good, this represents a job growth rate of less than 0.2 percent,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Illinois policymakers must continue to focus on improving our underlying business climate.”
In May, the three industry sectors with the largest gains in employment were: Professional and Business Services (+6,900), Leisure and Hospitality (+3,300) and Government (+2,300). The three industry sectors with the largest declines in employment were Manufacturing (-2,500); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,300); and Financial Activities (-1,200).
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +62,100 jobs with the largest gains in Professional and Business Services (+27,500); Education and Health Services (+14,800); and Construction (+13,700). Two key sectors posted over-the-year declines in May: Manufacturing (-7,300) and Financial Activities (-5,300).
The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. IDES’ IllinoisJoblink.com (IJL) program, which helps jobseekers connect with hiring companies, recently showed that 168,271 help wanted ads were available and 59,192 resumes were posted. Many positions however continue to remain unfilled. The Department continues its efforts to help spur job growth in Illinois.
In May, the unemployment rate stood 1.1 percentage points below the unemployment rate a year ago when it was 7.1 percent. The number of unemployed workers increased 0.3 percent from the prior month to 392,000 and was down -15.6 percent over the same month for the prior year.
“Illinois needs to take decisive action to address persistently low job growth through structural reforms to make Illinois competitive and attractive for business,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director (DCEO) Jim Schultz. “Governor Rauner’s proposed reforms will create an environment in which Illinois businesses and families can thrive.”
* Tony Leone, a Republican and former assistant House clerk under Speaker Michael Madigan, talked to Bernie about what happened after Gov. Jim Thompson appointed him to the state property tax appeals board…
Leone said Madigan called him to his office.
“He said, ‘Listen. I want you to recuse yourself from any complaint that … my law firm is representing,’” Leone recalled, noting that as speaker, Madigan ran House operations.
“At this point, I had no idea he was even an appeals attorney or his law firm handled appeals,” Leone said. “I walked out of the room having an awful lot of respect.”
“I think people ought to be careful about making insinuations that maybe he uses his influence on those types of appeals,” Leone added.
Leone said he wasn’t pointing the finger at anyone in particular, including the governor.
* And speaking of Madigan’s property tax work, check out Ben Joravsky’s latest in The Reader…
Rauner and his aides blasted Madigan for operating a law practice that takes advantage of the speaker’s clout with Cook County Democrats to win lower taxes for his well-to-do downtown clients. […]
But what the governor and his aides conveniently neglected to mention is that GTCR, Rauner’s old investment firm, is also one of the insiders benefiting from Madigan’s clout. That’s because GTCR is housed in a River North high-rise whose landlord hired Madigan’s law firm to handle its property tax appeal, according to the Cook County assessor’s website. […]
Finally, there’s the case of Kenneth Griffin, the wealthiest man in the state, who runs Citadel, a hedge fund.
Griffin has donated more than $5 million to Rauner’s campaign fund. Plus, he let Rauner use his private jet in the last campaign.
Griffin’s hedge fund is headquartered in the so-called Citadel building at 131 S. Dearborn. To handle its property tax appeal, the landlord of the Citadel building has hired—drum roll, please—Madigan’s law firm!
Gov. Bruce Rauner has said that he wants to reduce Amtrak train service in the state starting July 1, but the Illinois Department of Transportation hasn’t informed the national rail line about any cuts to its state aid, according to an Amtrak spokesman.
Company spokesman Marc Magliari said Tuesday that Amtrak still is accepting bookings for current levels of service. Rauner announced a new round of cuts to state programs Friday as he continues to negotiate with Democratic leaders in the Illinois Legislature, namely Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, over the state budget. […]
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the agency was waiting for Amtrak to provide “detailed cost and revenue projections for each route in order to make decisions about the frequency and level of service that the state can afford in anticipation of the Madigan-Cullerton budget.”
Amtrak plans to continue operating under its current schedule until it hears otherwise.
Seems odd.
* Meanwhile, from the Capital Development Board…
From: “Golden, Jodi”
Date: June 17, 2015 at 10:40:36 AM CDT
To: CDB.Executive.BoardMembers
Subject: FW: Stop work Letter
Board Members – I hope this note finds you all well. I wanted to inform you that the attached letter was mailed on Monday evening to contract holders with CDB. At this time we have no appropriations to continue with projects, therefore, unless this changes by June 30th, all work must be stopped by June 30th. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.
Thanks for your service to CDB!
Best,
Jodi
* The letter, with emphasis added…
To Whom it May Concern:
In accordance with Section 20-60 of the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/20-60) and the Capital Development Board’s (CDB) Standard Documents for Construction, the CDB directs you to stop all work you are performing under the above-referenced contract by June 30, 2015. You are further directed to do nothing after that date that would incur any additional cost to the State. This action is necessary because no appropriation bill was passed by the General Assembly this spring that would allow payments from the CDB to continue.
You should submit a payment request for work performed up to June 30, 2015, to the CDB project manager for the project. The CDB project manager will assist you in addressing any issues with the payment request and will answer any questions you might have regarding this stop work order, including design services of any kind, construction services of any kind, storage of all construction materials and equipment, and securing the job site.
Please note that the funds were available when you entered the contract with the CDB, but the General Assembly has failed to appropriate monies for the upcoming fiscal year starting July 1, 2015. The CDB is working diligently to correct this situation, but it requires legislative action.
If it is determined that the funding problem cannot be fixed in a reasonable time, then the CDB will formally advise you that the contract is suspended. The project manager will advise you about any developments.
The CDB sincerely regrets the need for this action and greatly appreciates your cooperative response.
Sincerely
Jodi Golden
Acting Executive Director
* A top legislative Democrat responds via e-mail…
We sent them the capital re approp bill [yesterday]. If they are saying there are ongoing projects that were not re appropriated, that would be OMB’s failure to notify the legislative budget folks of what projects were completed and what ones needed continued approp authority. I know our staff sought suggestions from OMB on all parts of the budget. And of course the capital bill and all budget House bills with the exception of the k-12 bill were on file for three days in the Senate and we never heard there was any problem with the capital re approp bill.
*** UPDATE *** A Rauner administration official just called to point me to two bills: HBs 2913 and 2914.
They’re about a thousand pages of approps and re-approps for capital projects. The Democratic bill, the Rauner official said, is only about 75 pages - or 925 pages short.
“They knew what they were doing,” the Rauner official said, and added some unprintable stuff.
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Since 1974, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued more than 850 recalls for toy products, many for hazards like magnets, lead and other dangers hidden in our children’s toys. In the face of such risks, and with so few resources at hand, American parents have come to rely on consumer groups and the civil justice system to serve both as an early warning system and an enforcement mechanism against negligent corporations.
Between 1990 and 2007, 196 children died from choking on toy parts, small balls and balloons. Nearly a quarter of a million children are treated at U.S. emergency rooms for toy-related injuries every year. A series of lawsuits in the late-2000s not only helped remove lead-tainted toys from store shelves, but also helped establish quality assurance programs overseen by the courts. A lawsuit filed by the family of a toddler who died after ingesting tiny magnets brought awareness to the hidden dangers of magnetic toys.
Civil actions by parents across the country have consistently forced corporations and regulators to take action. For more information, click here.
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions hold a strong belief in giving back to their communities at the credit union level and on a geographic basis. Twenty-four chapters unite the state’s 305 credit unions and are integral to fulfilling their mission for nearly three million consumer members. Like the boards at credit unions, chapter boards are also run by volunteers.
The Illinois Quad Cities Chapter alone serves 10 credit unions and their 241,000 members in a three county area. Similarly to other credit union chapters, Illinois Quad Cities is particularly active in community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. This includes helping consumers protect their personal information by sponsoring community shred days to properly dispose of documents. The chapter also hosts “community nights” to provide local organizations a forum for requesting financial support. As a result, more than $17,000 has been provided to a variety of local charities. Motivated by their stories, credit unions separately hold fundraisers to support these groups, as well participate in events for others, including the local children’s hospital.
Members know credit unions will be there for their daily financial needs and support their community – just some of the many virtues that define the credit union difference.
* Speaker Madigan responded to this question on Tuesday…
Does the governor really want a solution, or does he want chaos and upheaval in the state?
“I really don’t know, and I don’t plan to try to answer that question.”
* The Question: Does the governor really want a solution, or does he want chaos and upheaval in the state? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
The plaintiff, Bill Hadley, filed a defamation lawsuit against the defendant, Subscriber Doe, a/k/a “Fuboy,” based on statements made by Fuboy in the comments section of a newspaper website. After the suit was filed, Hadley requested the circuit court, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 224 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 224 (eff. May 30, 2008)), to order Fuboy’s internet service provider to disclose Fuboy’s identity. The circuit court granted the request and the appellate court affirmed. 2014 IL App (2d) 130489. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the appellate court.
BACKGROUND
On December 28, 2011, the Freeport Journal Standard published an online newspaper article entitled “Hadley returns to county politics. Candidate stresses fiscal responsibility.” The article discussed plaintiff Bill Hadley’s decision to again seek election to the county board of Stephenson County, Illinois. Online readers could post comments in response to the article after completing a basic registration process.
On December 29, an individual using the name “Fuboy” posted the following comment: “Hadley is a Sandusky waiting to be exposed. Check out the view he has of Empire [Elementary School in Freeport, Illinois] from his front door.”
Fuboy also made a second comment, stating: “Anybody know the tale of Hadley’s suicide attempt? It is kinda ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with Pottersville win[n]ing out. We can just be happy that Stephenson County is fortunate enough to have this guy want to be of ‘service’ again.”
Giving the words used by Fuboy their natural and obvious meaning, and considering the timing of the comment, we find the idea Fuboy intended to convey to the reasonable reader by his statement, “Hadley is a Sandusky waiting to be exposed. Check out the view he has of Empire from his front door,” was that Hadley was a pedophile or had engaged in sexual acts with children.
Fuboy contends, however, that the comment is susceptible to an innocent construction. He maintains the appellate court failed to consider the political context in which the statement was made, as well as the fact that it was made in an effort to seek debate over the candidate. We do not find this argument persuasive.
Me neither.
I have tracked down more than a few nasty commenters over the years. For whatever insane reason, some people think that they can say anything they want in an anonymous context. They can’t. Not here, at least.
And the Illinois Supreme Court thankfully upheld that viewpoint today.
* Years ago, I ran into George Ryan at a Greek restaurant in Chicago. He was still governor back then, although it was late in his term.
Ryan sat down at my table after a while and we chatted about various stuff. I don’t really remember. Pretty soon, though, some folks at the next table came over and asked the governor if he would take a picture with them. They were all smiles and said very nice things to him.
Ryan came back and said he just couldn’t believe all those negative polls about him because this sort of thing happened to him all the time.
I didn’t want to spoil his moment, but I knew then and still know now that people are pretty much always that way around “celebrities.” If you’re on the teevee, folks are generally nice to you.
Heck, they’re even nice to me. I don’t think a stranger has ever once picked a fight with me over something I’ve written. Notice, I said “stranger.”
Asked whether Madigan felt his own message was getting out to the public, the speaker responded: ”Our encounters with people would say yes,” Madigan said.
What types of encounters?
“People that I rode with in the elevator this morning, who said they didn’t quite understand why a TV commercial would be run in the middle of a legislative session, when we’re several months after an election and many, many more months before the next election.”
It’s no surprise to me that folks who found themselves on the same elevator with a very powerful politician would try to take his side on something.
Anyway, it was just kind of a weird thing to say and, again, I hope he doesn’t really believe that.
A health care union is launching its own ad push in an attempt to counter Gov. Bruce Rauner’s statewide TV ad launch.
The ad, called “Wrong Priorities,” features first-person testimonials from family of the elderly and disabled, who say their quality of life — and actual lifespan — improves if they’re able to stay at home.
“Governor Rauner’s dangerous budget cuts target Illinois’ most vulnerable,” a narrator says on the ad.
The ad, on social media and online media, is part of a larger paid effort that could include a cable and TV ad buy, according to the union.
* Keeping in mind that this is only an online purchase, rate the ad…
* The Chicago Tribune editorial board on Speaker Madigan’s response to Gov. Rauner’s new TV ad…
How amusing that the patron of scorched-earth politics and endless campaigning tries to paint the other guy as extreme.
Madigan campaigns year-round. Always has, through structured roll calls that allow vulnerable incumbents to take safe votes. By bottling up Republican bills in committee to limit Republicans’ success. By swapping out his members during committee hearings so they don’t have to take controversial votes. By passing legislation that makes it more difficult for challengers or independents to get on the ballot. By blocking term limits. By raising money year-round. All of those maneuvers are designed to protect his majority for the next election. In other words, campaigning.
[Madigan’s] operatives sent campaign mailers last fall that claimed Leslie Munger, a Republican running for the House, supported child abusers in schools. Ads and automated phone calls claimed she opposed background checks on school workers, which was untrue, and would expose children to pedophiles.
Now that’s extreme. […]
Madigan’s operatives suggested in a separate mailer that Republican Rep. Sheri Jesiel sided with rapists over rape victims.
They make a valid point here. When compared to Madigan’s standard direct mail program, these Rauner ads are pretty darned tame.
CMS Memorandum
To: Agency Directors, Personnel Managers, Labor Relations Administrators and Payroll Managers
From: Tom Tyrrell, CMS Director
Subject: Collective Bargaining
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services is currently in the process of negotiating successor agreements with the labor unions that represent State employees. The current collective bargaining agreements with the unions expire on June 30, 2015. CMS remains hopeful that it can reach agreement on the terms of successor contracts with all of the labor unions before June 30th. Whether it can succeed with every union, however, is doubtful. For those contracts on which agreements cannot be reached by July 1, it is likely that the parties will agree to continue to negotiate and that members of those unions will agree to work without a contract. If so, then (with the exceptions described below and until further notice) the State will operate as if the terms and conditions of employment set forth in the current collective bargaining agreements (e.g., procedures for filling vacancies, temporary assignments and layoffs) still apply.
Until new terms are negotiated, employees will continue to be paid their current wages and will remain at their current steps and/or in-hire rate. Therefore, no wage, in-hire, or step/lane increases, or semi-automatic advancements should be awarded under an expired agreement.
Once a contract has expired the State is only required to process certain grievances. Whether a grievance must be processed, in the absence of an agreement, is determined by the facts of the grievance. For example, a grievance over facts that arose before July 1st or a grievance that involves a right that accrued under the expired agreement, such as a denial of a vacation previously approved pursuant to the expired agreement, must be processed. For grievances by employees who are members of unions with which the State has no agreement after June 30th, agencies should consult with CMS Labor Relations before deciding whether to process a specific grievance. If, after consultation, a decision is made not to process a grievance, the Agency should notify the Union in writing that it is not processing the grievance because the collective bargaining agreement has expired.
In other words, no lockout is yet in sight. Time will tell, however.
* Senate President John Cullerton is making the rounds this week. Here he is with Greg Hinz…
On workers’ comp, Cullerton said Rauner “needs to understand what we’ve already done.” Changes ordered a few years ago are just now showing up in reduced rates, he said.
“We’re always willing to work on fraud and savings,” he added. “But you don’t blow up the system. . . .If you say, ‘Employers don’t want to pay any premiums, we’ll abolish workers’ comp,’ I guarantee you, they’ll scream.” Why? Because, he reasoned, without workers’ comp, all sides will have to wage expensive court fights on tens of thousands of workplace injuries a year.
What Democrats won’t agree to is “a race to the bottom,” Cullerton said. “Workers’ comp is not an economic development tool.”
[Rauner] got a boost, in part, from the president of Tennant Truck Lines, the Colona firm he visited.
Aaron Tennant, the chief executive of the company, introduced Rauner while noting his company would save $450,000 in workers’ compensation costs if it moved to Iowa.
“I can go nine miles across the river and save a heck of a lot of money,” he said.
Things got heated during Tuesday’s debate [of the House Committee of the Whole on DCEO restructuring] when the issue of public jobs versus private jobs was addressed. In a line of questioning between Democratic Representative Will Davis and DCEO’s Director, Davis expressed concerns about a loss of jobs for DCEO if there were to be the creation of a private-public partnership to spur on economic development. Schultz responded with what he believes is his role.
“So those individuals will not be working for DCEO,” Davis said. “Which means the workforce of DCEO will decline.”
“I didn’t come here to create jobs for DCEO,” Schultz fired back. “I didn’t come here to create jobs just for the State of Illinois. I came to create jobs for every citizen in the state of Illinois, all 12.9 million citizens. In the end I care about net jobs, not about a particular agency.”
The two sides are from different worlds and are speaking different languages.
* I’ve known Mike Madigan (no, not the Speaker, the other one) since his days on GOP staff. After a stint with George Ryan, Mike decided he wanted to get into the private sector. He opened a franchised restaurant in Springfield, Hickory River, and has since prospered, opening several more in central Illinois.
The district he’s eyeing won’t be an easy race, to say the least, but he’s a good guy and I wish him nothing but the best…
Wouldn’t this be fun? A Republican named Mike Madigan running for the state Senate?
It could happen.
Madigan, an Urbana City Council member who grew up in Champaign County and owns a chain of four barbecue restaurants, said he’s considering running for the 52nd Senate District seat held by Democrat Scott Bennett of Champaign. Bennett, a former Champaign County assistant state’s attorney, was appointed to the seat earlier this year after Mike Frerichs’ election as state treasurer. […]
Madigan, 52, who owns Hickory River Smokehouse restaurants in Urbana, Decatur, Springfield and Peoria, said Illinois needs change, but he isn’t parroting Rauner’s “turnaround agenda.”
“We need change but I’m not saying that I’m going to throw down and be all-in on all of those positions,” he said. “I think you have to look at the district as well and be representative of the district. I don’t consider myself a hard-core idealogue. I think you need to consider the district and what it’s comprised of. We have a world-class university here and on some of these issues you have to take a harder look and not be terribly ideological.
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, says he was turned down in multiple requests to visit the Hardin County prison work camp, which Rauner said will close if a deal to balance the state budget isn’t forthcoming. […]
“This is the first time I’ve ever been turned down,” Forby said. “I’ve been in every prison in my district. Once or twice a year I try to get around to talk to people at those facilities. I guess the governor doesn’t want me to talk to those people.”
Sen. Forby made his thoughts known the day after the governor’s visit to Marion by putting a T-shirt on his chair on the Senate floor that read “Not for sale” on the front and “Can’t be bought” on the back.
“Senator Forby has not made a request to visit through the legislative liaisons at the department or the governor’s office, which is standard operating practice for all legislative requests to ensure visits go smoothly and without interruption,” [Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson] said. […]
And, it comes three years after former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration barred a Republican senator access to a youth prison in Murphysboro that Quinn was trying to close.
In the Murphysboro incident, state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said barring him entry took him by surprise because there was a longstanding tradition that local lawmakers could visit state facilities without a formal agreement from the governor’s office.
* The Senate Democrats plan to start sending the governor their appropriations bills next week, and they’re getting in some advance spin..
“The budget has been a public document since we passed it, so the administration has had time to review and analyze it,” said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “It’s our intention to start sending him the actual bills for action next week….He has options. If he doesn’t want to sign it, if he would rather force a shutdown, then that is a problem that he would own.” […]
“He has options that include reducing spending lines to a level he feels appropriate and manageable for the administration,” Phelon said. “The other options include having conversations with the legislative leaders about how to generate income to bridge the gap by the revenue hole…We hope he will consider taking a balanced approach to budgeting just like a family would do … look at both sides of the ledger.”
Phelon said if Rauner outright vetoes the bills then a shutdown is “all but a certainty.”
“There are options, leaders like Cullerton are willing to find a way to work it out,” she said. “And there’s still time to do that.”
No comment yet from the Rauner administration. I’ll let you know.
*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…
Hi, Rich –
The governor has made clear for weeks that the budget passed by Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls is unbalanced and unacceptable. The governor remains committed to working with legislators to enact reforms that protect the middle class, free up resources for the most vulnerable, grow jobs throughout the state and help produce a responsible, balanced budget. While the governor has compromised repeatedly, it’s disturbing that majority party legislators continue to reject reasonable reforms and a balanced budget. If they have any interest in real reform and a responsible budget, there is no reason a deal can’t be reached before July 1.
Mooney, the political scientist, said he found the style of Rauner’s ad “baffling” at this point.
“It’s a classic (election) campaign ad but there’s no (election) campaign going on. What does he want people to do? Does he think this just puts pressure on Mike Madigan and the politicians?” Mooney asked.
The ad puts Madigan “in black and white, and the speaker can’t find that to be very nice,” he said. “Given his past history, he doesn’t respond well to direct criticism of that nature.”
At the same time, Mooney suggested the ad may be part of a sustained effort to try to portray Madigan as the cause behind any state government shutdown.
“A lawmaker rises and falls based on his local connections. People may say they hate Mike Madigan but that they like Frank [Mautino],” Yepsen said. “Smart, influential local people realize that Mike Madigan is not the most popular guy but it’s good that our local guy is good with him. Most legislators have a state facility, park or agency in their districts that they have to take care of.”
Yepsen said he hasn’t heard Democratic lawmakers badmouth Madigan either publicly or privately.
“He is a powerful lawmaker,” Yepsen said. “If legislators have half a brain, they aren’t going to publicly alienate someone who may do something for their districts.”
I would never try to tell you Madigan is one of the good guys. As I’ve said previously, I wish he’d hang it up.
But for right now, I’m really glad he’s down there in Springfield to stand up to the bully king, even if he’s doing it for the wrong reasons.
Madigan, a bully in his own right, does not currently see it as being in his best political interest to sell out the little people who rely on Democrats to protect their viewpoint in Springfield. That could change, for which I’m equally grateful for the Democratic majority in the Senate. […]
In Rauner’s commercial, the narrator says: “Mike Madigan and the politicians he controls refuse to change.”
I would translate that to mean Rauner doesn’t control enough politicians yet, but just like Madigan, he’s working on it.
Winning an office by using the power of advertising is one thing. We’re used to it by now.
Governing by using the power of advertising is another. And we’ve never seen anything quite like it. […]
It makes sense. Public pressure can play a big part in legislative negotiations. When government services start shutting down, as they are likely to begin doing next month, voters grow increasingly agitated, and rank-and-file lawmakers seek to protect their political futures.
Rauner is trying to win the inevitable blame game the same way he won the governorship: with a well-financed campaign of chesty if vague commercials that paint Democratic leaders as obstacles to progress and economic health. […]
But I concede it just might work, particularly in the context of a sustained, well-funded effort to win hearts and minds. Rauner’s PR campaign may not ever lead to flipping the 13 seats in the House and 10 in the Senate needed for Republican majorities in the General Assembly, but it just might give him a significant upper hand as the summer of our discontent grinds on.
* Auditor General Bill Holland just sent a letter to the four legislative leaders announcing that he will retire at the end of this year. The letter is here…
It has always been my intent to leave my position while I still enjoy my work. After nearly twenty three years, I think that time has come.
Holland has been an excellent auditor general. I just cannot say enough good things about his tenure. Bill is honest, trustworthy and clean and he professionalized the operation when he took over.
Good luck, Bill.
…Adding… The full letter…
Dear Leaders:
I have been honored to be Illinois’ Auditor General since August 1, 1992. My work here has been challenging and rewarding, both professionally and personally. Your confidence in me and respect for the Office has allowed us to fulfill a constitutional duty and provide an essential public service that, I am confident, has been valuable to the General Assembly and the citizens of Illinois.
It has always been my intent to leave my position while I still enjoy the work. After nearly twenty-three years, I think that time has come. I will be retiring from my position as Auditor General effective December 31, 2015.
I hope this timeframe is sufficient to provide an effective transition to a new Auditor General. Please be assured that I and my staff will be available to assist in that regards. Until that time, I will continue to perform my duties in the manner you have come to expect.
I cannot thank each of you enough for the support you have provided the Office of the Auditor General over the years. Your support has been the foundation for all the successes the Office has enjoyed and, undoubtedly, will enjoy many years into the future.
Yours truly,
WILLIAM G. HOLLAND
Auditor General
* And from the press room…
Auditor General Holland will hold a press conference today (6-17) at 1:00 p.m. in briefing room 010. He will be here to announce his retirement.
…Adding Still More… The press conference will be here. From Leader Radogno…
“Despite coming from a partisan background, Bill Holland’s tenure as Auditor General has proven his loyalties lie with the people of Illinois. He’s a class act and true gentleman. The taxpayers of Illinois have been well served. “
* Gov. Rauner…
“Auditor General William Holland is a true statesman having served the people of Illinois as Auditor General for more than 20 years with the utmost integrity, honor and respect. His appointment to a third term was unprecedented and well-deserved, and it underscores his professionalism and ability to do the job fairly and exceptionally well. The State of Illinois is better because of his service, and I thank him for all the work he has done on behalf of the citizens of Illinois.”
* House GOP Leader Durkin…
“Bill Holland has done a fantastic job as Auditor General. I personally will miss him when he retires at the end of the year. He is highly respected by members of both parties for being professional and fair. The citizens of Illinois are better off because of Bill Holland’s ability to root out waste and mismanagement in government.”
* Senate President Cullerton…
“Bill Holland has dedicated his life’s work to improving public policy outcomes and government services for the people of the state of Illinois. His knowledge, expertise and eye for excellence have been invaluable to all of those who have had the pleasure of working and serving with him. His contributions will not be forgotten. I wish Bill the best of luck in future endeavors.”
* Speaker Madigan…
“Bill Holland has made many important contributions to work of state government during his tenure as Auditor General. He has handled every challenge with skill and professionalism. He maintained the highest standards during several very dark periods in this state’s history. Illinois is a better place because of him.”
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, on Tuesday called Gov. Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad blitz “extreme” and said a budget deal would come only “if everybody’s reasonable.”
Still, Madigan said he believed the Legislature was making “progress” toward breaking a budget impasse, despite entering the third week after adjournment without a balanced plan.
“That TV ad takes us to the extreme. It takes away from moderation. It’s just like the other non-budget issues,” Madigan told reporters in a Capitol news conference.
“I think we’re making progress,” Madigan added. “I’m working seven days a week on this.” […]
“In the House, we’re attempting to be responsive to the governor’s interests. That’s why number one, we passed a worker’s compensation bill. We provided four opportunities for Republicans to pass legislation that would freeze property taxes.”
According to our count, during the 20 minute press conference, the Speaker used the term “moderation” 11 times, the term “reasonable” 10 times, “extreme” to describe the governor 16 times, and “non-budget issues” 13 times.
In referring to the House’s legislative session which has not yet adjourned and will meet every Tuesday until the budget is agreed upon, Madigan used the term “continuous session” 11 times.
He is being reasonable and moderate, the Governor is being extreme.
When a reporter asked why Rauner’s television ads would be considered extreme while Madigan-funded mailers attacking Republicans in their home districts were not problematic, the Speaker said the mailers the Democrats sent out “were not extreme, they were factual.”
Madigan said mailers critical of Republicans sent into Republican legislative districts by the Illinois Democratic Party he controls are different from the ads.
“We wouldn’t consider the mailers extreme,” Madigan said. “They are factual. They weren’t inflammatory. We’re not going to do any TV ads, I can tell you that.” […]
Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, who is not mentioned in the ads, “is encouraging the governor to pull back from campaigning and lean into governing,” said spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon.
Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said discussion of the ads among Democrats was “almost non-existent.”
“I don’t wake up every day and worry about what the governor is going to do when it comes to political rhetoric,” Manar said. “It’s clear to me that we have priorities that we need to fund in the state budget, and we need to find solutions to break the budget impasse. Unfortunately, I don’t think this commercial that the governor is airing is going to get us closer to breaking that impasse.”
“We’re not campaigning,” Cullerton said. “The election’s next year. This is the year we should be governing and reaching compromise. So that’s what I would urge the governor to do. To come back to the table and stop the ads, and let’s just see if we can get together.”
Cullerton, who wasn’t named in the governor’s ad but has taken his own lumps in Rauner’s remarks to media, also continued to pitch the “let’s talk” angle.
“It’s not the best way to start a conversation when you’re trying to reach an agreement,” Cullerton said about Rauner’s ad. “I think he (Rauner) is still in campaign mode, and we’d like him to get out of the campaign mode and start governing.”
“Let’s work together,” the Senate president said. “That’s what we’re willing to do.”
“We need to be focusing on actually getting a budget put in place,” said Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat. “We need to provide fiscal stability and security.”
But there were few hints of progress on the budget Tuesday as lawmakers gathered for the lackluster session. Attendance was visibly down from regular session, with several lawmakers wearing Blackhawks jerseys to celebrate the team’s Stanley Cup win the evening before. And Madigan, who called a solo news conference while his session was still meeting, said he couldn’t recall the last time he spoke to Rauner about the budget.
(S)tate Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, isn’t shying away from Madigan, the longtime House speaker and chairman of the state Democratic party.
“I support him as the head of my party. He believes in the same things I believe in,” Mautino, the House’s deputy majority leader, said in a phone interview Tuesday. […]
“I believe the Turnaround Agenda is wrong for Illinois,” said Mautino, who represents the majority of La Salle County, including Ottawa and Streator. “Even the Republicans will not vote for the governor’s right-to-work initiatives.” […]
“The governor needs to stop pointing his finger at bogeymen and quit running for election,” Mautino said. “What I would hope is that he would come to the table and negotiate. The governor’s budget was short $3.5 billion. The Democrats were $4 billion short. The cuts the governor has proposed are hurtful and designed to make a point rather than save money.”
“I suppose it could have been worse, but worse doesn’t mean that this was a good idea,” said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat and Madigan’s top deputy. “I do think that personal attacks are not helpful if we’re trying to set a table, a table around which we hope to negotiate. So I think this was not the best strategy, if one really wants to solve the budget problem.” […]
“Why are we here? To listen to testimony?” asked Rep. David Harris of Arlington Heights in a speech that drew applause from fellow Republicans. “Do you want to be here? Do you think it’s advantageous for us … to come from the north, the south, the east and the west, all over the state, to come down here just to listen to testimony from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity? I don’t believe that’s the best use of our time.”
Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, who chaired the hearing, had a pointed response.
“We hear all the time how the easiest way to raise revenue is to create more jobs, and most, if many of us, don’t want to raise taxes,” Franks said.
“Heck, I even saw a TV ad today about economic development put out by someone who might know,” he said in reference to Rauner’s ad. “So, (the governor’s) talking about economic development and I think that we all ought to be talking about economic development, and I believe that’s why we’re here today.”
“Speaker Madigan believes firmly in his principles and believes firmly in fighting for those principles. I don’t think there should be any attack on character,” the mayor said.
“In politics, dialogue and trust are essential. Any time you break that up, you make coming to terms harder.” […]
“How do you create a context for people to make compromises so that people see there’s enough victory? Nobody is going to sign on to something where they lose and you win. And you’re not gonna sign onto something where I win and you lose,” Emanuel said.
“All of us have a role to play in creating a context where everybody has enough wins where they think that agreement is something that they are for because they see enough progress for the things that they care about.” […]
“Everybody should just lower the temperature and keep the conversation and the dialogue and the space for that conversation and dialogue, then create an ability for people to make the necessary compromises for people to reach an agreement that advances the city and the state’s interests,” the mayor said.
Republican lawmakers played down the initial Rauner TV attack as benign, though they indicated the tenor could change as the impasse continues. Still, GOP Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine said Rauner is using the ads to try to convey a message to taxpayers.
“I think the endgame is to try to drive Speaker Madigan to compromise and actually enact the will of the voters, which is to start running this state differently,” Murphy said.
Madigan has “been resistant to that so far, and I think the ads are an effort to try to persuade the people around this state to remind the speaker that they elected a governor to help change the direction of the state and they want (Madigan’s) participation instead of his intransigence,” Murphy said.
“It’s understandable the speaker would not like the ads because they tell the truth about what he and the legislators he controls are up to in Springfield — protecting the political class at the expense of the middle class,” said Rauner spokesman Lance Trover. […]
State Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, called the ad “benign.”
“I didn’t think there was anything mean-spirited about it. I thought it was relatively moderate,” Sandack said. “I know the Speaker keeps saying ‘extreme’ but so far as all objective observers will state, the governor has tried to negotiate … the Speaker only wants to talk about one thing: and that’s a tax hike.” […]
“It’s difficult to understand how Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls can double the size of Illinois’ budget deficit to $4 billion and call that ‘progress,’ ” a Rauner spokeswoman said. “It’s this type of thinking that’s caused Illinois’ fiscal crisis and why Governor Rauner will continue to fight for reforms that help the middle class and working families.”
“For the first time, the people of Illinois are going to hear another point of view,” John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute, to which Rauner is a major donor, admits the governor is using money in an attempt to influence public policy. He said that for decades unions have used their money to direct policies set in place by Democrats.
“They’ve liked having monopoly control of the narrative. Now they’ve got a competitor and I think it’s going to be good for the people of Illinois,” he said.
In his latest round of spending reforms, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced on June 12 that funding for Illinois’ Tobacco Quitline will be suspended, effective July 1. The program, a hotline for smokers operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health, was funded through a $3.1 million grant from the state.
Around 18 percent of Illinois adults smoke, and helping people quit is an admirable and important goal. In fact, it’s a goal the American Cancer Society is already helping to achieve – without Illinois taxpayers footing the bill.
The “Quit for Life” program is a free service that offers support resources to smokers who are interested in quitting. The program includes resources such as phone counseling with a “quit coach,” online education, web-based planning tools and even text-message plans to help people quit smoking.
With such a robust program being run through one of the leading cancer-prevention and awareness organizations in the country, Illinois taxpayers do not need to be paying for a separate program to accomplish the same goal.
* Since their program is at issue here, I asked the American Cancer Society to comment. The following is from Heather Eagleton, Illinois government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network…
“In April, Illinois unfortunately made history by becoming the only state in the country without a tobacco quitline. While this funding was eventually restored, the Quitline is once again at risk of being eliminated under the governor’s proposed July 1 budget cuts.
“There is a misconception among some that the American Cancer Society’s Quit for Life tobacco cessation program will easily replace the Quitline’s services. However, Quit for Life is a resource that contracts with employers, health plans and state departments of health to help clients’ employees and enrollees quit smoking. Illinois residents are only able to enroll in Quit for Life if their employer or insurance provider offers the service.
“Therefore, if Governor Rauner chooses to cut the state’s tobacco quitline, thousands of Illinoisans will still be without a lifeline to break their tobacco addiction.
“Last year, the Quitline answered 90,000 phone calls and led 43 percent of its callers to quit smoking.
“It should be noted that the Quitline is funded not through taxpayer dollars, but rather through the Tobacco Master Settlement, which gave Illinois $265 million this fiscal year specifically to support programs like the Quitline. With the elimination of this resource, taxpayers risk seeing an increase in tobacco-related Medicaid costs, which already total $1 billion a year.
“We understand Illinois continues to face tough financial choices, but fighting cancer should always be a top policy priority. We urge the governor and lawmakers to come to a budget decision that will not jeopardize the health of Illinoisans.”
Former-Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, of Carbondale, said she’s seriously considering a run for state Senate in 2016.
“I’ve been asked by several folks to look into that, and that’s what I’m doing now is weighing the options,” she said. […]
Simon said she’s eyeing the 58th Senate District seat being vacated by Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. While some have also encouraged her to run for the U.S. 12th Congressional seat held by Republican Rep. Mike Bost, Simon said she’s not as interested in that position.
She said the state Senate seat seems to be a “better fit,” given her interests in state-level issues and her frustrations with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Illinois is often compared to our neighbor Indiana when it comes to workers’ compensation costs for businesses. Unfortunately, it is not a fair or accurate comparison. Wages are the main driving factor when it comes to workers’ compensation costs. Workers’ compensation benefits (non-medical) are based on a worker’s average weekly wage. On average, Indiana pays its workers 27 percent less than Illinois. Illinois ranks 8th in the country for average weekly wages, while Indiana ranks 35th. Because workers’ compensation replaces lost wages, lower wages in Indiana naturally creates lower workers’ compensation costs.
Indiana businesses may have lower workers’ compensation costs for employers; however workers injured on the job have meager options for their health care under Indiana’s workers’ compensation laws. In addition, Indiana’s early return to work program often forces injured workers back to work sooner than they should be and often leads to re-injury or new injuries.
Workers in Illinois deserve better. A fair and reasonable workers’ compensation system in Illinois helps injured workers get back on their feet and back to work.
For more information on workers’ compensation, click here.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s hand-picked school team is trying to persuade the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund to accept a partial pension payment — as little as $200 million of the $634 million due June 30 — because the Chicago Public School system doesn’t have enough cash on hand to make the full payment and still pay its employees. […]
In a statement Thursday, an Emanuel spokeswoman said: “Mayor Emanuel believes we are at a tipping point and that Springfield must take action to ensure the city is not forced to make a decision that forces us to choose between making a $634 million pension payment and the educational investments that our children need and deserve. The impact of this year’s massive payment means CPS would spend $1,600 less per student on education than every other district in the state, with severe and harmful consequences.” […]
Municipal finance expert Matt Fabian said a partial pension payment is the latest in a string of “budget gimmicks” that got CPS into this mess. It will make the long-term solution more costly.
But he said, “It’s the better of several fairly wretched options. It’s better than defaulting on their bonds. It’s better than not making payroll. Not making payroll becomes a direct operating issue. Then, they’re pushing cost onto students and families. They’d have to cut teachers. Politically, not making payroll is distinctly more negative.”
* Catalyst interviewed Charles Burbridge, the new executive director of the $10.8 billion Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund…
Catalyst: Where does the pension fund stand on the upcoming $634 million payment?
Burbridge: We’re expecting the payment. …We have not been told that we won’t get it or that we’ll get some discounted portion of it. Last year we got it.
Catalyst: What happens if it’s not paid?
Burbridge: If it’s not, then we’ll have to explore options that are available to us, see what the Board of Trustees is interested in pursuing. We’ll have to cross that bridge when it comes.
Catalyst: Explain what’s included in the outstanding payment.
Burbridge: One component is the money that should be paid for the benefits current teachers are earning. Last year that amount was about $145 million and it is similar this year. The second component, much larger, is the [amount] required to make the annual contribution toward the debt that’s been run up over the past 10, 15, 20 years. That total [debt] is now almost $10 billion.
Catalyst: Why such a huge unfunded liability?
Burbridge: Pension funding works when the employer pays for benefits as they are earned. When the employer doesn’t pay for those benefits, you get into problems.
Catalyst: What would happen if the district somehow in the next couple of weeks was able to get a ‘pension holiday’ again?
Burbridge: It would exacerbate the current situation. The unfunded liabilities – the benefits that the employees are earning – would not be paid and [there would not be] a contribution to reduce the outstanding debt.
There’s plenty of worry that CTPF will sue, but that will take some time.
For the second time in a week, a City Council member has backed away after threatening legislative action to protest the use of the title “Chiraq” for filmmaker Spike Lee’s Chicago-based movie.
The City Council Finance Committee was set Monday to hold a hearing on a nonbinding resolution asking the state to withhold a tax break from Lee and his company, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks, as long as the film kept its controversial title.
But the resolution’s sponsor, Ald. Will Burns, 4th, said the hearing would instead be held at a later date. Asked whether he still wants state lawmakers not to give Lee the break, Burns said the important thing was to hold a hearing so Chicagoans can air their thoughts on the term “Chiraq.”
“There are folks who want to talk about the movie title and they should be given an opportunity to do so,” Burns said in an email. He did not say when he plans to reschedule the hearing.
In May, State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th) led the Senate in commending director Spike Lee for his planned investment in Southside neighborhoods and supporting his choice of the title “Chiraq.” Collins reiterated today that there is broad consensus among elected officials statewide and, most importantly, her constituents, in favor of Lee’s project.
“As an elected representative of residents whose neighborhoods will be portrayed in this film and will benefit from the economic activity and jobs it generates, I have been overwhelmed with expressions of support for ‘Chiraq’ and introduced Senate Resolution 587 with this in mind,” Collins said. “More than 30 state senators co-sponsored the resolution in favor of a tax credit for ‘Chiraq,’ and while Alderman Burns is entitled to his personal opinion, what ought to matter is the perspective of local residents, along with the willingness of state government to give this project the same tax treatment as other eligible productions.”
Collins’ resolution urges the state to find Lee’s production company eligible for a tax credit designed to encourage television and film productions to employ Illinoisans and contract with Illinois vendors.
“The communities I represent are buffeted by unemployment, depressed property values and a chronic lack of investment,” Collins said. “This film will provide not only temporary jobs but also valuable training and experience for those hired, and local businesses will benefit from the opportunity to provide goods and services to the production.”
Lee is in the process of hiring nearly 3,000 extras, 100 crew members and 20 interns; most will be residents of Englewood, whose 21.3 percent unemployment rate far exceeds the state and national average, and neighboring communities. Englewood will also be home to ninety percent of the locations used in the film.
Spike Lee, best known for his compelling treatments of race in America in movies such as “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X,” has said that “everything I’ve done has led up to this film.” His proposed title – “Chiraq” – has generated controversy, but Collins says she and many residents welcome an honest look at the violent crime that helps perpetuate the cycle of poverty and economic neglect in Englewood and disadvantaged communities throughout the state.
“Communities such as Englewood need better statistics, not better semantics; a commitment to people, not perceptions and a focus on public safety and the public good, not merely public relations,” Collins said. “This film will challenge society’s acceptance of the unacceptable in its forgotten corners, and by generating jobs and economic growth, it will also serve as part of the solution.”
A rookie alderman has backed off on his threat to withhold a block party permit for a prominent South Side church that collaborated with filmmaker Spike Lee on a movie that has the working title of “Chiraq.”
Earlier this week, Ald. David Moore, 17th, said he would not sign a permit for a block party to be held Saturday by St. Sabina Catholic Church being sponsored by Lee, who worked on the film with Rev. Michael Pfleger, the prominent anti-violence activist who is pastor of the church.
But on Friday Moore said that after speaking with residents on 1700 and 1800 blocks of Throop Street, where the party is being held in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, he has signed the permit.
* A Hart Research poll conducted for SEIU Healthcare shows the public isn’t exactly “all in” on parts of the governor’s agenda. Click here for the memo, but keep in mind that the actual polling questions aren’t included in this summary…
MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Geoff Garin
DATE: June 15, 2015
RE: Voters Strongly Oppose Rauner’s Home-care and Child-care Cuts
Overview
Our recent survey of 1,051 voters in Illinois shows that there is an overwhelmingly negative reaction to Bruce Rauner’s proposed cuts to state home-care and child- care programs. Opposition to Rauner’s cuts crosses party lines, suggesting that legislators who back his cuts would be put in significant jeopardy regardless of the party composition of their districts.
Rauner already has deep vulnerabilities with Illinois voters because he is perceived to be more interested in doing what’s best for the wealthy and big corporations than in doing what’s best for average people in the state. Rauner’s proposed cuts to home care and child care exacerbate these vulnerabilities, as do his efforts to undercut the workers who provide these services. The survey results show that by a lopsided margin Illinois voters are more likely to side with home-care and child- care providers than with Governor Rauner in a major policy disagreement.
Key Findings
1. There is strong opposition across party lines when voters hear about Bruce Rauner’s proposed cuts to state home-care and child-care programs.
Fully 73% of all voters in Illinois say they would have an unfavorable reaction if they heard that Governor Rauner wants to make large cuts in state government funding for in-home assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, including 53% who are very unfavorable. Similarly, 68% react unfavorably upon hearing that Governor Rauner wants to make major cuts in government support for child care, including 47% who are very unfavorable.
Large pluralities of Democrats, independents, and Republicans react unfavorably to Rauner’s proposed cuts to home-care and child-care programs.
Rauner’s proposed cuts to home care and child care are unpopular even among those who recall voting for him last year. Rauner voters are unfavorable to his home-care cuts by 51% to 20%, and are unfavorable to his child-care cuts by 46% to 26%.
Negative reactions to Governor Rauner’s policies extend to his contract proposals for home-care and child-care providers.
74% are unfavorable to his proposal to cut or totally eliminate health insurance for home-care and child-care providers.
74% are unfavorable to his proposal to eliminate reimbursement for equipment, protective garments, and supplies (including latex gloves) for home-care providers.
73% are unfavorable to his proposal to eliminate training and professional development for home-care and child-care providers.
62% are unfavorable to his proposals to freeze the pay for home-care and child-care workers.
2. Illinois voters already are skeptical about Bruce Rauner when it comes to caring about people like them or understanding the challenges of working-class families, and the plurality say he is more interested in the wealthy and big corporations than in what’s best for average people. These negative perceptions create a significant vulnerability for Rauner in the debate on home care and child care.
Just 40% of voters in Illinois have confidence in Bruce Rauner when it comes to looking out for the middle class, while 50% have doubts about him.
Similarly, by 50% to 41%, voters express doubts about him on “caring about people like you.” Rauner especially lacks credibility with voters on understanding the challenges faced by low-wage workers and working-class families, with 58% expressing doubts about him.
When asked which matters more to Bruce Rauner, only 31% say his priority is doing what’s best for average people in Illinois, while 46% say he is more interested in doing what’s best for the wealthy and big corporations.
3. Voters in Illinois have positive feelings about home-care and child-care providers. In a fight between these providers and Governor Rauner, voters in Illinois side with home-care and child-care providers by a margin of close to three to one. Voters support the right of home-care and child-care workers to have a union, and they react unfavorably to aspects of Rauner’s contract proposals that would weaken the union.
Fully 75% of Illinois voters report having a positive opinion of child-care providers, and 72% are similarly positive to home-care providers. In a dispute between Governor Rauner and home-care and child-care providers, only 21% of voters say they would side with Rauner, while 61% say they would side with the home-care and child-care workers.
By 60% to 29%, voters support home-care and child-care providers being represented by a union to negotiate with the state on issues involving pay, benefits, working conditions, and training. Sixty percent (60%) of voters react unfavorably (including 45% who are very unfavorable) when they hear that Governor Rauner wants to weaken the union that represents home-care and child-care providers, and 66% are unfavorable when they hear that he wants to stop home-care and child- care providers from joining together to have a voice at work.
Voters are not persuaded by a defense that Rauner’s proposals are necessary because the state budget is “out of control” and that average taxpayers will end up paying the price “if we don’t take action now to hold the line on excessive union contracts.” Surprisingly, 60% say this line of argument makes them no more likely at all to support Governor Rauner’s proposals.
Given these results, it is safe to assume that voters across Illinois want their state legislators to stand with home-care and child-care providers instead of Bruce Rauner, and that those legislators who instead align themselves with Rauner’s unpopular policies would be creating significant political jeopardy for themselves.
The results in this memo are based on telephone interviews with 1,051 likely voters in the 2016 elections in Illinois. The interviews were conducted from June 2 to 7, 2015, and the statewide sample provides a representative cross section of the Illinois electorate.
Tuesday, Jun 16, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions hold a strong belief in giving back to their communities at the credit union level and on a geographic basis. Twenty-four chapters unite the state’s 305 credit unions and are integral to fulfilling their mission for nearly three million consumer members. Like the boards at credit unions, chapter boards are also run by volunteers.
The Illinois Quad Cities Chapter alone serves 10 credit unions and their 241,000 members in a three county area. Similarly to other credit union chapters, Illinois Quad Cities is particularly active in community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. This includes helping consumers protect their personal information by sponsoring community shred days to properly dispose of documents. The chapter also hosts “community nights” to provide local organizations a forum for requesting financial support. As a result, more than $17,000 has been provided to a variety of local charities. Motivated by their stories, credit unions separately hold fundraisers to support these groups, as well participate in events for others, including the local children’s hospital.
Members know credit unions will be there for their daily financial needs and support their community – just some of the many virtues that define the credit union difference.
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