* Governing ain’t always as easy as it looks. Holding this up would’ve been a big problem, for instance…
Despite its freeze on most new state spending, the Rauner administration has decided to proceed Jan. 30 with an estimated $500 million in roadway maintenance and repair projects across the state, including reconstruction of the interchange between Lake Shore Drive and Interstate 55.
The fate of the bid opening by the Illinois Department of Transportation was still unknown last week when the Rauner administration thawed out spending for the Illinois Tollway’s $1.5 billion construction program this year.
With another large round of IDOT projects coming up in March, contractors fretted that the two sets of bids would be combined. With just one huge bid letting, firms could have ended up with more work than they could handle if they bid too aggressively or none at all in the upcoming construction season if they bid too high.
* An understandable delay, but a decision - with its attendant costs - will have to be made…
A legal effort to improve the living conditions at a southern Illinois prison is on hold for at least another month to let new Gov. Bruce Rauner review a proposed settlement agreement.
In an order filed last week, U.S. Magistrate Philip Frazier gave attorneys for the state an extra 30 days to file a preliminary agreement outlining the steps that will be taken to correct problems at the Vienna Correctional Center.
“Due to the change in administrations, the defendants require additional time to obtain approval to agree to any unresolved terms,” attorneys for the state noted in their request for an extension.
* And this Lottery limbo is a mess…
Who’s in charge of the huge Illinois Lottery—and under what contract terms are they working?
Anyone who knows the answer to those questions isn’t answering them today in the wake of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s surprise move Jan. 23 to scuttle a “termination agreement” between the Lottery and the private firm that manages its operations day to day, Northstar Lottery Group.
Madigan said in her opinion that the termination pact, announced in the final days of the Pat Quinn administration, was illegal and would have cost taxpayers millions in extra fees and charges. But the opinion omitted lots of details about who, what and how much. […]
State Rep. Jack Franks, a McHenry County Democrat who’s been a long-time critic of Lottery management, says there’s “no question in my mind” that the management contract has been terminated, even if the termination terms have been junked.
Franks says he reached that conclusion after speaking with Madigan aides. They told him their intent was not to dispute the termination of the management contract, only the terms of what the company would get in exchange.
The company can continue to provide services without a contract, Franks said, but risk not being paid as much as under its old deal. Or it could leave, but that could hurt other business by Northstar’s owners, GTech and Scientific Games.
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* 2012: Gov. Pat Quinn replaces Manny Sanchez at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority in a bitter fight over the governor’s choice for executive director. 2014: Manny Sanchez endorses Bruce Rauner for Governor. 2015: Manny Sanchez appointed to Illinois Sports Facilities Authority by Gov. Rauner…
Manny Sanchez, ousted from the board of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority two years ago, has been reinstalled by Gov. Bruce Rauner to the city-state panel that owns U.S. Cellular Field.
The Chicago attorney, who was removed amid controversy in 2012 by Gov. Pat Quinn, has been named chairman of the ISFA’s seven-member board. He replaces former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr.
“I’m ecstatic,” Sanchez said today. “I look forward to growing the revenue sources at U.S. Cellular Field and protecting the interests of the state and the city in terms of (the ball park’s) fiscal viability.”
*** UPDATE *** The AP basically describes this as a Rauner reform move…
Gov. Bruce Rauner has replaced the leader of an Illinois agency that gave ex-Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager a $160,000-a-year job.
Rauner on Monday appointed supporter Manny Sanchez as chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Sanchez replaces former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr.
Jones was among the four Quinn appointees who voted last month to hire 30-year-old Lou Bertuca to lead the agency that built and operates U.S. Cellular Field. Three board members appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel voted no.
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* Police body cams are on the front burner this session…
Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, has already introduced Senate Bill 21, which will be used to provide basic protocol for the cameras — such as when they can be turned off — instead of a mandate requiring them. […]
[Laimutis Nargelenas, manager of governmental relations for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police] said the chiefs association wants to work with the legislature to make the law effective, both economically and practically.
“The issue with the cameras is certain groups want officers to use them in limited instances,” he said. “If we can’t get body cameras without limited restrictions, why use them? If we’re going to use taxpayer dollars to pay for these, let’s make sure they’re used properly.”
* Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Zalewski has a new crime bill. From a press release…
Zalewski, D-Riverside, is taking a new approach to the previous debate over gun penalties based on sentencing modifications that would increase penalties for illegal gun possession while introducing groundbreaking factors for judicial discretion and appropriate case-by-case review. Judges then can alter the length of the person’s sentence based on an individualized assessment of the offender, and even open up opportunities for corrections programming and counseling while the person serves his or her sentence. Zalewski’s new approach to tougher penalties for illegal gun possession seeks to bring Illinois into a new era of correctional reform and align with best practices for a 21st century criminal justice system.
Zalewski also is proposing a series of bills to address several topics that were considered at length by the reform committee:
· Ensures consistency in drug laws when students are present to reduce inconsistent judicial findings
· Allows domestic violence victims to present evidence at sentencing regarding their abuse in the event they are convicted of defending themselves
· Creates a pilot program to let Cook County authorities use drug analysis field tests to determine whether recovered substances are illegal marijuana, cocaine or heroin, reducing the number of days a defendant waits for a preliminary hearing
· Applies enhanced Class 4 felony penalties for property theft of no more than $300 to those with two or more convictions of certain thefts and burglaries, rather than one previous conviction
· Increases the threshold amount for theft from $500 to $1,000
Zalewski also intends to fight vigorously for other criminal justice reform measures pending before the Legislature, including reform of the state’s juvenile transfer laws, realignment of the state’s cannabis statutes, and continuation of the bi-partisan, bicameral Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform to continue the important work of studying how to bring Illinois out of the dark ages of sentencing.
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* AP…
Amazon will start collecting sales tax from Illinois consumers next month to comply with a new state law.
Amazon spokesman Ty Rogers said Friday the online retailer will be required to collect the 6.25 percent tax starting Feb. 1. The Amazon spokesman says the online retailer “offers the best prices with or without sales tax.”
Illinois lawmakers passed the measure last summer after the Illinois Supreme Court threw out an earlier attempt at legislation. The court ruled the earlier law violated federal rules against “discriminatory taxes” on digital transactions.
* Crain’s…
The law went into effect Jan. 1, but the state granted a month-long grace period to online retailers.
“It demonstrates real responsibility on the part of Amazon to collect these taxes before they even lay a brick in Illinois,” said Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, which has long been in favor of such legislation. He was referring to the e-commerce giant’s decision, announced last fall, to build at least one distribution facility in Illinois.
It remains to be seen whether the new tax will aid Illinois bricks-and-mortar retailers, Karr said, “What does help now is that the tax code is no longer picking the winners and losers.”
That new facility meant the company would have to start collecting sales taxes anyway because they’d have an Illinois nexus. Wisconsin projected a $30 million boost when the state began collecting sales taxes from Amazon, but money could just shift around online…
Amazon sales are likely to decline about 10 percent in Illinois if its pattern follows those of other states, according to Itzhak Ben-David, an associate professor of finance at Ohio State University who studied the effect of the Amazon tax issue on consumer behavior in five states that implemented online sales tax laws from 2012 to 2014.
“The decline was most dramatic for large purchases,” Ben-David said in an interview. For example, he and colleagues measured a sales decline of nearly 25 percent on purchases of $300 or more.
“These results suggest that sales tax is an important factor in the eyes of consumers,” he said.
Those consumers flee Amazon for other retailers, though they tend to stay online. The study found a 2 percent uptick in purchases at local brick-and-mortar retailers and an almost 20 percent increase through the online operations of competing retailers.
More and more people want to - and like to - shop online if they can. That trend can’t be halted. But Amazon has been a huge sales tax avoider over the years, so this is welcome news. Now, the Congress need to even the playing field. Sen. Durbin and Congressman Schock recently penned an op-ed on this topic…
A bipartisan bill, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, to level the playing field for the small businesses in communities like Springfield has the opportunity to become law.
It’s an effort we are working on together — along with many of our Illinois colleagues — to get over the finish line this Congress.
Main Street businesses have a hard time surviving when their stores become showrooms, where people come in, look around, even try out merchandise, and then leave to buy the product online to avoid paying state taxes.
This online sales tax loophole is giving online retailers a 5- to 10-percent price advantage over their Main Street competitors, and it needlessly is putting people out of business in Illinois and across the country.
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A crack in the honeymoon
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I still don’t think this is a major issue, but it’s very easy to understand, so it has made somewhat of a splash. IRN…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s explanation for one new hire in his administration making a six-figure salary doesn’t add up. The salary in question is the $100,000 that will be paid to Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the new chief of staff for First Lady Diana Rauner. The governor didn’t directly address that salary when asked whether it was too high for the position.
“We are going to try to offer salaries that are competitive (to) get the talent in,” Rauner said. “This is all about driving a transformation of the government, and many people are coming in at salaries well below what they made in the private sector.”
But Jimenez isn’t coming from the private sector. She spent the last year as the director of intergovernmental affairs in the comptroller’s office. She’s also not settling for a lower salary in her new job, as she was making $91,000 per year, according to data made available on the comptroller office’s website.
* More context from the Tribune…
The issue came up one day after Rauner gave a presentation to business students at the University of Chicago. There, he railed against the state’s unpaid debt and suggested that state worker salaries, which he said averaged around $64,000 in 2012, were part of the problem. [Emphasis added.]
Again, not a huge deal. We haven’t had a First Lady in six years, so this topic just hasn’t come up. But Rauner set himself up for that one bigtime.
* Meanwhile…
Rauner fielded questions about the salaries after he attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a $38 million technical schooling facility at Harper College in Palatine, $20 million of which was funded through a state capital grant. Rauner said he thought it was “wonderful” that the state had granted money for the project.
But Rauner was unclear on whether he would have approved of the grant if it had come across his desk as governor.
“Well, here’s the issue,” he said. “We’ve got to restructure our government so we’re efficient, effective and transparent. We’re going to get that done. And we’ll have the money, if we do that, and if we become a booming economy, so we can support facilities like this and put more money into education.”
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Question of the day
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
A radio ad in which President Barack Obama endorses Mayor Rahm Emanuel for re-election will begin airing Monday in Chicago.
“If you want a mayor who does what’s right, not just what’s popular, who fights night and day for the city we love, then I hope you’ll join me. Vote for Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday, February 24th,” Obama says in the 60-second radio spot. […]
“Before Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago, he was a key part of my team at the White House,” Obama says. “And let’s be honest, at times the guy can be a little hardheaded. But there’s a reason Rahm fights as hard as he does. He loves our city, and he believes every child in every neighborhood should have a fair shot at success.”
“Chicago had the shortest school day of any American city until Rahm insisted that our kids get the same educational opportunity as other kids,” Obama says. He goes on to tout Emanuel’s move to make full-day kindergarten standard, and to gradually raise the minimum wage in Chicago to $13 an hour by 2019.
* The ad is here. And he certainly has the money to air it widely…
It’s not the only time Emanuel has gotten campaign contributions from people who have benefited from actions he or city agencies or pension funds have taken, according to a Chicago Sun-Times examination of the nearly $30 million amassed so far by: the mayor’s campaign committee; a second campaign fund he controls; and a super PAC that supports Emanuel and aldermanic candidates he backs.
About 5 percent of that total — $1.7 million — has come from developers; from employees of companies that do business with City Hall, city pension funds or city agencies; and from Chicago’s two financial exchanges, which Emanuel has supported by speaking out against proposals that would tax stock and futures trades.
* The Question: Sneed…
First lady Michelle Obama’s endorsement didn’t help Gov. Pat Quinn in November, so will her husband’s endorsement help Rahm?
Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys
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Ernie Banks and politics
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Here’s something I didn’t know about Ernie Banks…
In 1963, he unsuccessfully ran for 8th Ward alderman as a Republican in Chicago.
In the summer of ‘69, he was appointed to the board of the CTA, which led to speculation in the Tribune he was planning to retire, “especially if the Cubs win the pennant and the World Series.” (Spoiler alert: They did not.)
* Banks explained his loss a couple of years ago…
“I ran for Alderman and Mayor [Richard J.] Daley was running the city,” Banks said. “Someone asked the mayor where that baseball player was going to finish in the race for the 8th Ward. He said somewhere out in left field. That is where I finished.”
He came in third place with just 2,028 votes.
I doubt he walked many, if any, precincts. and the organization was pretty darned powerful back then.
* Banks also wanted to talk Barack Obama out of running for president…
The Hall of Fame shortstop said he tried to talk to then-Senator Barack Obama out of running for this country’s highest office in 2007.
Banks, who was at Wrigley Field to be saluted by the Chicago Cubs for the presidential honor, said that he thought the then-junior Senator from Illinois probably would have a tough time winning.
“I met him at a Jesse Jackson dinner at Navy Pier,” Banks said. “He was there speaking. I wanted to say hi to him. I talked to his assistant and I said I have to talk to Barack.
“I got his card, and the next day he announced he was a candidate. I was going to tell him not to run. I said, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ “
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A day in the life
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Bruce Rauner drove his infamous “trash can van” to Springfield Saturday. He and his staff tweeted about the “event” along the route…
Stella and Pumpkin are his dogs. Both are Labs.
* Upon arrival, Rauner held a press conference outside the Executive Mansion…
* Back to the pups, who posed for pics…
* Rauner then hit the town. Metro Networks…
Governor Rauner is hitting up local events in Springfield. He hit the city in his old green van on Saturday and spent part of the weekend sitting in the stands at a high school boys’ basketball tournament. The locals say they’re impressed to see Rauner hanging out and getting to know people but some aren’t so quick to express appreciation. They’re wondering if Rauner is trying to butter people up so they won’t be so disappointed about any potential cuts coming down the pike.
* Later in the day, Rauner took some legislators to a movie…
Discuss.
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Today’s overreaction
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review comments on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Friday afternoon appointments…
Rauner retained Rocco Claps, an openly gay Democrat operative, to lead the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Claps has overseen the department for the past 12 years and currently manages nearly 150 employees and an annual budget of more than $14 million.
While serving under Democrat governors Blagojevich and Quinn, Claps greatly expanded the Illinois Human Rights Act and human and civil rights laws in Illinois. The expansion included extra-legal protections for citizens categorized as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Prior to his work at the IDHR, Claps was a Deputy Assessor in the Cook County Assessor’s Office. He also worked on two Democratic National Conventions, and in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Democrat President Clinton.
* From the Illinois Family Institute…
LGBTyranny? Really?
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* AP…
Newly released documents show former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn received recommendations on which businesses should receive lucrative medical marijuana licenses but did not act on them before leaving office.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration released the material to The Associated Press and other news organizations in response to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Quinn said he would issue the licenses by the end of last year, but he did not act before Rauner succeeded him, saying agencies in charge of evaluating applications still had more work to do.
The documents appear to show the agencies made recommendations to Quinn around Dec. 25.
Quinn had set an unofficial January 1st deadline, and it appears his agencies beat that deadline.
* Were there political concerns?…
The applications went through a blind scoring process. But the records obtained show it wasn’t that straightforward.
The documents show that companies the Sun-Times has previously written about were either disqualified as dispensary applicants or put on “hold,” but no explanation was given.
Among those was HealthCentral, which had applied to the state for three downstate cultivation center licenses and two dispensary licenses, in Springfield and Collinsville.
A former Quinn chief of staff, Jack Lavin, served as the company’s lobbyist and a company owned by a partner in HealthCentral had been sued in Colorado for allegedly handing out marijuana-laced candy to unsuspecting Denver County fair goers.
And in the list of applicants recommended for dispensary licenses based on a supposedly blind scoring process, HealthCentral is ranked one and two. But their entry is highlighted in red and noted as disqualified, the records show.
So, the applicants went through a blind scoring process, which was apparently completed in December. Did Quinn and his top staff find out who the winners were and then decide not to take action that could cause the governor some embarrassment?
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* Illinois’ hoped-for fracking boom will have to wait…
A recent study by IHS, an industry research firm, concluded four-fifths of the oil estimated to be pumped this year from tight geological formations such as sandstone or shale still can be profitable at $50 to $69 a barrel — a span an IHS executive said would “cast a big chill on the level of activity.”
“Low oil prices are going to test the resilience of tight oil production,” said Jim Burkhard, IHS’ vice president of global oil research.
Some companies have drilled exploratory wells and remain optimistic. Kansas-based driller Wayne Woolsey’s company, with 260,000 acres under lease in southern Illinois, has drilled 10 evaluation wells at a cost of more than $2 million apiece, and “everything we’ve done at this point looks very favorable.”
But the lengthy rules-making process has complicated his prospects. Many of the four-year lease deals he’s struck with land owners will expire in the next year or so.
“I was hoping to evaluate (that land) in the first year, which hasn’t occurred,” he said. “It’s been extremely time-consuming and costly.”
* Wall Street Journal has context…
OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla Salem el-Badri said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that with prices between $45 and $55 a barrel, “I think maybe they reached the bottom and will see some rebound very soon.”
Prices, which had been trading in the red overnight, turned positive on the news.
U.S. oil for March delivery rose as high as $46.11 a barrel, up from $45 a barrel earlier in the day, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
* Meanwhile, Erickson writes about Illinois coal…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pledge to remake state government could include an overhaul of the way Illinois regulates the coal mining industry.
In a situation that has some environmental groups on alert and coal industry supporters applauding, the governor is expected to push for a more streamlined permitting process for companies wanting to extract coal from the ground. […]
Phil Gonet, executive director of the Illinois Coal Association, said he has told Rauner that the key to improving coal regulations is to hire more people to review and process applications.
In one instance, Gonet said an application for a new coal mine in Vermilion County sat idle for 13 months because of a manpower shortage at the Department of Natural Resources. […]
Foresight Energy was among a top contributor to Rauner’s inaugural festivities, giving up to $100,000 to help fund the events two weeks ago.
Since 2009, the company has pumped $1.9 million into the campaign funds of Illinois politicians, including $10,000 to Rauner’s campaign fund and $12,500 to Rauner’s new IDNR chief Wayne Rosenthal.
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Rauner readies the axe
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Gov. Bruce Rauner didn’t completely close the door to higher taxes last week during a speech at the University of Chicago, but he made it very clear with what he said and what he did that he wants huge state budget cuts.
“We have every reason to thrive,” Rauner said during the speech. He then laid out his reasoning for why the state is on a “fundamentally unsustainable path,” pointing his finger at the “policies and the politics mostly coming out of Springfield [which are] really at the core of the problem.”
“The politicians want to talk about ‘Well, let’s raise the income tax to fix the debt or the problem,” Rauner said. “Raising taxes will come nowhere near to fixing the problem and in fact will make part of the problem worse and just kick the can down the road… This is the critical lesson that we’re seeing. We’re on an unsustainable path, we need fundamental structural change and raising taxes alone in itself isn’t going to fix the problem and in a lot of ways it’s going to make it worse.”
Rauner said the budget was “out of control,” and that the state has suffered “complete mismanagement.”
“Just raising taxes to try to fix that? No chance. No chance,” Rauner said.
Notice how he said “just raising taxes,” and “raising taxes alone.” Those are usually phrases uttered by politicians who are keeping the door open for higher revenues, however slightly.
But what is crystal clear is that he won’t ask for any more revenues without first making deep and even drastic cuts.
The new governor pointed to flat population growth and flat job growth as the roots of the problem. Without “booming” growth, he said, Illinois can never dig itself out of the hole it’s in. And Rauner has always said that high taxes are a hindrance to growth.
Rauner singled out two items for his chopping block. First up, Medicaid spending.
“When you realize our job growth is flat, how do you pay for it?,” Rauner said of Medicaid. “I want to do that, but that is not sustainable.” Medicaid, which pays for everything from childbirth to nursing home care. consumes a quarter of the state’s operating budget, and despite some real reforms almost two years ago, costs are continuing to rise. And that’s a problem when next fiscal year’s budget deficit is being pegged at a whopping $9 billion.
Rauner also claimed state employees make too much money, saying that they earn more than private sector workers (which AFSCME rejects, pointing to a recent University of Illinois study) and are the third highest paid in the country. The numbers of state workers are declining, Rauner said, but payroll costs are still increasing. Their health insurance is based on “low contributions” from workers, but has a high cost. So, while workers aren’t chipping in much, “you’re chipping in a lot,” he told his audience.
AFSCME’s contract expires later this year, and those negotiations are going to be rougher than we’ve ever seen. Governors going back at least to Dan Walker have done what they could to try to appease the union and win its support, but Rauner repeated his contention that those mutually beneficial relationships were “corrupt.”
Also last week, Rauner announced he had hired Donna Arduin to be the state’s new Chief Financial Officer. Arduin is infamous for her ideological position that tax cuts and budget cuts are key to turning around state economies. Her consulting business partner is Arthur Laffer, whose economic theories were used by former President Ronald Reagan to justify tax cuts during a recession and a major defense buildup.
Arduin’s consulting firm’s most recent high-profile project was Kansas, where tax cuts have created gaping budget holes and a sputtering economy. Rauner said during a campaign debate that he didn’t want to follow Kansas’ lead, but, for now anyway, he seems to be heading at least partially in that direction.
Arduin is also credited for the job she did in California under Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But it took Schwarzenegger’s Democratic successor Jerry Brown to cut programs to the bone, which finally convinced Californians to support higher taxes. California now has a budget surplus.
She has had successes, Michigan and Florida being two of them. But those successes came with a whole lot of pain inflicted on the poor.
Illinois voters clearly wanted a change last November. They’re gonna get it.
* And speaking of Arduin, here’s another passage from that profile we discussed about her on Friday…
On Saturday, after watching Duke win the second-round game in the NCAA tournament, Arduin heads for the airport to fly back to Tallahassee. Waiting at a red light, she looks through the window at a homeless man sitting on the curb, holding up a cardboard sign that reads “Anything helps—Smile—God Bless.”
It’s an uncomfortable moment. The homeless man sees her, they make eye contact, he smiles, she looks away. Then, she turns back and, too softly for him to hear—but with conviction—says, “Get a job.”
Discuss.
…Adding… Crain’s…
With a nearly $36 billion budget, including $4.50 billion in federal funds, you’d think belt-tightening could make up the $1.5 billion shortfall Illinois faces between now and July 1, but it won’t come close.
More than half of state spending can’t be touched without changing laws, reneging on bonds or shortchanging pension contributions and digging the state’s $111.18 billion pension hole even deeper. With the fiscal year more than half over, fixing the deficit would take spending cuts of almost 20 percent in nearly $8 billion in discretionary spending remaining through the end of the fiscal year.
Subscribers know more about that 20 percent.
…Adding More… Should the 60,000 homeless kids get jobs as well?…
Perhaps this will be the year that the Illinois General Assembly approves money for a homeless education program.
“The superintendent’s recommending $3 million,” chief financial officer Robert Wolfe told the Illinois State Board of Education. “This is a request that the board’s put in for the last two or three fiscal years, and it hasn’t been funded.” […]
The board’s financial committee chairman, Jim Baumann, said there are perhaps 60,000 school-age children among Illinois’ homeless.
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Good morning!
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Like many kids around my age who grew up in the Chicago media market, I was glued to the TV when Ernie Banks hit his 500th home run…
I was as ecstatic as Jack Brickhouse. What a moment! I jumped up and down all over my grandparents’ living room.
* I was thinking the day he died that I always thought Ernie Banks was simply a great ballplayer. I grew up on a farm outside Clifton at the time. The closest African-Americans were in Kankakee, a 20-mile drive. It wasn’t until I grew up that I learned more about his early days as the Cubs’ first black player and began to think of him in that context.
The innocence of youth. I wish we all had more of that.
* Secretary of State Jesse White’s statement…
The state of Illinois, the city of Chicago and the world of sports lost an icon today in the passing of Ernie Banks. Ernie Banks was a great man with a great heart. While his play made him a Hall-of-Fame baseball player, it was his personality that made him a legend.
I was honored to learn many things from him while I was in the Cubs organization. And I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him throughout the years in our joint efforts to help others.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to his friends. I was privileged to have played baseball with him, and to call him my friend. Ernie Banks – Mr. Cub – will be missed.
* Let’s start our day with Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, with a special guest…
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Rauner announces new appointments
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It looks like Rocco Claps’ numerous friends on both sides of the aisle worked out for him. From a press release…
- Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made a number of cabinet secretary and agency board appointments. Today’s appointments include the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Governor Rauner also announced he hired the administration’s Public Safety Director.
Name: Hugo Chaviano
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Labor
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Hugo Chaviano, 62, to be the Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. Chaviano brings more than 35 years of legal experience to the job, including work as a mediator and arbitrator.
Chaviano is currently a senior partner for Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP, where he works on litigation cases in a number of areas including employment, contracts, transportation and torts. These cases have appeared before state and federal courts, regulatory agencies, and in arbitration and mediation. Chaviano has worked for a number of law firms throughout the Chicago area, including managing his own law firm that was acquired in 1997.
Throughout his professional career, Chaviano has become a leader among Hispanic lawyers within the United States and across Latin America. He has received a number of accolades for his work advocating diversity. Chaviano immigrated to the United States from Cuba when he was just 13 years old. He is bilingual in Spanish.
Chaviano graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in history, and he earned his law degree from Northwestern University.
Experience:
• Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP, Partner (2003-Present)
• Adorno Yoss Sanchez & Daniels, Partner in Charge (2004-2008)
• Cozen O’Connor, Senior Member & Partner – Latin America Practice Group (2000-2002)
• Blatt, Hammesfahr & Eaton, Capital Partner & Chair – Latin America Practice Group (1996-2000)
• Chaviano & Associates, Ltd, Principal (1990-1996)
• Broderick & Chaviano, House Counsel St. Paul Insurance Companies (1985-1990)
• Pretzel & Stouffer, Associate (1984-1985)
• Shand Morahan & Co. (1979-1984)
o Corporate Counsel (1981-1984)
o Claims Counsel (1979-1981)
Education:
• Northwestern University, J.D. (1978)
• Rutgers University, B.A. History (1975)
Personal Information:
• Age: 62
• Hometown: North Barrington
Name: Rocco Claps
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Human Rights
Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he will reappoint Rocco Claps, 53, as the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Claps has overseen the IDHR for the past 12 years and is currently the longest-serving director in the agency’s history. Claps is also the first openly-gay agency director in the history of Illinois.
As the Director of the IDHR, Claps worked with the legislature to expand the Illinois Human Rights Act and the scope of human and civil rights laws in Illinois, which includes Illinois’ first statewide law to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He also created a bilingual services department within the IDHR to more effectively communicate with all communities in Illinois. Claps currently oversees nearly 150 employees with a budget of more than $14 million.
Prior to his work at the IDHR, Claps was a Deputy Assessor in the Cook County Assessor’s Office. He also worked on two Democratic National Conventions, and in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Claps earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Illinois State University.
Experience:
• Illinois Department of Human Rights, Director (2003-Present)
• Office of the Cook County Assessor, Deputy Assessor (1999-2003)
• 2000 Democratic National Convention, Director of Planning (1997-1999)
• Office of the Secretary - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Director of Scheduling & Advance (1997)
• 1996 Democratic National Convention, Chief of Staff (1995-1996)
Awards & Honors:
• The Civic Federation/Motorola Solutions Foundation Award – Excellence in Public Service
• International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies – Individual Achievement Award
• Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Inductee
Education:
• Illinois State University, B.S. Mass Communications (1983)
Personal Information:
• Age: 53
• Hometown: Villa Park
Name: Leo Schmitz
Position: Director – Illinois State Police
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Deputy Chief Leo Schmitz of the Chicago Police Department to become the Director of the Illinois State Police. Schmitz, 55, has a proven record of building community trust, while reducing crime rates as a leader in the department.
Schmitz has spent his nearly 30-year career with the Chicago Police Department, starting as a patrolman and rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. He currently oversees the Englewood district, where his policies reduced the murder rate by 44 percent, shootings fell by 14 percent and all other crimes dropped as well.
Prior to his work as Deputy Chief, Schmitz was the Commander of the Gang Enforcement Unit. He oversaw the centralization of 400 police officers from 25 different districts into one gang unit, which became the largest gang unit in the United States addressing gang violence.
Schmitz has been recognized at the city, county and state level for his excellence in police work. Notably, he’s received the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor; the Superintendent’s Award of Valor and Blue Star Award; the Illinois Police Association Medal of Valor; and the Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Valor.
Experience:
• Chicago Police Department (1986-Present)
o Deputy Chief, 007th District – Englewood (2012-Present)
o Commander, Gang Enforcement Unit (2009-2012)
o Commander, Gang Investigations Section (2008-2009)
o Commander, 008th District – Chicago Lawn (2007-2008)
o Lieutenant (2004-2005)
o Sergeant (1998-2004)
o Detective Division Sergeant (1999-2004)
o Patrolman (1986-1999)
Awards
• Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
• Superintendent’s Award of Valor
• Superintendent’s Blue Star Award
• The Hundred Club Medal of Valor
• Illinois Police Association Medal of Valor
• Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Valor
• The William Powers Leadership Award
• Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Merit
• Illinois State Crime Commission Police Officer of the Year
• Fraternal Order of Police Distinguished Service Award
Education:
• Southern Illinois University, B.S. Administrative Sciences (1982)
Personal Information:
• Age: 55
• Hometown: Chicago
Name: Bryan Schneider
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Bryan Schneider, 47, as the next Secretary for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He brings a deep understanding of law and corporate business practices to the position.
For the past 15 years, Schneider has worked as an attorney for Deerfield-based Walgreens. Currently, he is the Divisional Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, where he worked on a number of programs and initiatives. For example, he offered regulatory and transactional support for the nation’s largest flu immunization program.
Schneider is familiar with leadership roles in Illinois; he is currently a member of the State Board of Elections, a position he’s held since 2004. He also served one term as the board’s Chairman, and another as Vice Chairman.
Schneider began his career in the General Assembly, where he worked as General Counsel for Rep. Lee Daniels while he was House Speaker and the Republican Leader in the House.
In addition to his law degree from the University of Wisconsin, Schneider is a certified public accountant. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Trine University in Angola, Ind. He also holds an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago.
Experience:
● Walgreen Co.
o Divisional Vice President & Assistant General Counsel (2010-Present)
o Director, Health Care Contracting & Regulatory Law (2009-2010)
o Directory, Health Care Regulatory Law (2008-2009)
o Director, Government Relations, Walgreens Health Services (2005-2008)
o Senior Attorney (2000-2005)
● Harris Kessler & Goldstein (1997-2000)
● Office of the Illinois House Republican Leader (1997-2000)
● Office of the Speaker, Illinois House of Representative (1995-1997)
● Sidley Austin LLP (1993-1997)
● U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, Law Clerk - Hon. Richard D. Cudahy (1992-1993)
Leadership positions:
● Illinois Board of Elections (2004-Present)
o Board Chairman (2009-2011)
o Vice Chairman (2007-2009)
● LEARN Charter Schools, Board of Directors (2003-Present)
Education:
● University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D. (1992)
● DePaul University, MBA (2001)
● Trine University, B.S. Accounting (1989)
Personal Information:
● Age: 47
● Hometown: Chicago
Name: Tom Tyrrell
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Central Management Services
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Tom Tyrrell, 61, to become the Director of the Department of Central Management Services. Tyrrell has nearly 40 years of combined experience in the military, public and private sectors.
Currently, Tyrrell is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). As the COO, Tyrrell oversees the day-to-day operations of the nation’s third largest school district, which educates 400,000 students; employs 42,000 teachers and support staff; and operates with a budget of more than $5 billion.
Prior to his work with CPS, he was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steele Partners, which is a strategic advisory and management firm. It connects innovating businesses with projects to improve the country’s well-being.
Tyrrell also spent three years as the Executive Director and CEO of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. He oversaw the transformation of the well-respected, but underutilized museum, into a state-of-the art educational facility. Under his management, the museum saw an 80 percent annual revenue increase within three years.
Tyrrell is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served our country for 26 years, retiring as a Colonel. As the Commanding Officer for the First Marine Corps District, he oversaw recruitment in 14 states and managed 1,100 service personnel, which operated with an annual budget of $14 million. He also served as the Director of Strategic Planning & Coordination for the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo. Prior to that, he was the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Tyrrell is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also earned post-graduate degrees from the National Defense University - Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Naval Postgraduate School.
Experience:
• Chicago Public Schools, Chief Operating Officer (2012-Present)
• Steele Partners, Chief Executive Officer (2009-2011)
• Cantor Fitzgerald, LLP/BGC, Senior Managing Director (2006-2008)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Executive Director & CEO (2002-2005)
• U.S. Marine Corps
o First Marine Corps District, Commanding Officer (2001-2002)
o UN Interim Mission in Kosovo, Director of Strategic Planning & Coordination (2000-2001)
o Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1998-2000)
Recognitions & Honors:
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit Medal
• Veterans Advantage Person of the Year
• Ellis Island Medal of Honor
• National Police Foundation Person of the Year
Education:
• National Defense University – Industrial College of the Armed Forces, M.S. Strategic Resource Management (1998)
• Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. Management - Acquisition & Contracts (1992)
• Texas A&M University – Kingsville, B.A. Business Administration (1976)
Personal Information:
• Age: 61
• Hometown: Chicago
Name: Rodger Heaton
Position: Public Safety Director
Governor Bruce Rauner has hired Rodger Heaton, 55, as his administration’s Public Safety Director. Heaton has 30 years of legal experience, including spending more than four years as the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. His experience also spans years in private practice, as well.
As the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, Heaton was the chief federal law enforcement official for 46 counties from 2005-2009. Under his tenure, productivity in his division rose to record levels, which resulted in the filing of federal charges in approximately 1,300 cases. Heaton was appointed to the position by President George W. Bush.
Heaton understands the other side of the legal system as well, because of his work as a defense attorney. Most recently, he was a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson. He also spent two years as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Until joining the administration, Heaton was an Administrative Law Judge with the U.S. Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. He presided over federal administrative hearings of disability claims under the Social Security Act.
Heaton earned his law degree from Indiana University and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Experience
• U.S. Office of Disability Adjudication & Review, Administrative Law Judge (2014-Present)
• Hinshaw & Culbertson, Partner (2009-2014)
• United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (2005-2009)
• Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (2003-2005)
• Kirkland & Ellis, Partner (2001-2003)
• Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (1990-2000)
o Appellate Section Chief (1990-2000)
o Springfield Branch Chief (2000)
o Computer Crime Specialist (1995-2000)
• Assistant U.S. Attorney - Southern District of Indiana (1989-1990)
• Sullivan & Cromwell, Associate (1987-1989)
• U.S. District Court, Southern District, Law Clerk – Hon. Sarah Evans Barker (1987-1987)
Education
• Indiana University, J.D. (1985)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Agricultural Economics (1981)
Personal Life
• Age: 55
• Hometown: Rochester
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Reader comments closed for the weekend
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Reina del Cid will play us out…
Well, I’ve never been so sure
And I’ve never led no one astray.
‘Cept in the fall of ‘94.
But Hallelujah, the 21st of May.
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* After years of putting the best possible spin on the state’s unemployment rate, there’s a new governor and a new IDES director, so the spin has been abandoned for now. From IDES…
– The Illinois unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 6.2 percent in December. Nonfarm payroll employment gained +17,100 jobs, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
December job growth was led by Construction (+6,000); Educational and Health Services (+4,700); and Leisure and Hospitality (+4,500); gains were partly offset by declines in Government Services (-1,200) and Financial Activities (-900).
“The 0.9 percent gain in December over the year was significantly less than the national increase of 2.1 percent,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays, “indicating that Illinois employment growth remains lower than the national average.”
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +51,600 jobs with the largest gains in Professional and Business Services (+25,700); Construction (+20,200); and Educational and Health Services (+12,700). Four sectors posted declines in December over the prior year: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-8,700); Information Services (-2,400), Financial Activities (-1,400) and Government (-1,200).
Give it six months to a year and the old spin will likely return.
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“The Governor’s Axe”
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a mostly glowing profile of Donna Arduin, Gov. Rauner’s new CFO, we can discern some of the budget cuts that are coming…
Arduin received plenty of criticism from both sides of the aisle over cuts she made to Florida’s budget, but after making a splash in the Sunshine State, she faced a ready corps of critics in California. More visibility brought more acute criticism of her controversial policies, scrutiny was unrelenting, and Arduin was routinely blasted. Her $900 million cuts in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, and $800 million in programs intended to bring welfare recipients into the workforce stirred up a veritable infantry of opponents, to whom she responds succinctly: “The state was spending $15 billion more than it was taking in.”
Physicians spoke out about cuts to California health programs that Arduin oversaw, including a limit on the number of children allowed into the Healthy Families Program, and slashes in the state’s contribution to Medi-Cal. “It’s unconscionable to take the economic savings that we know the state has got to do and put that burden literally on the life of a young child,” Alan Lewis, a physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times. “This is looking a child in the eye and saying, ‘No, you’re going to have to wait to be treated.’ “
But Arduin says she merely “proposed eliminating the entitlement nature of a lot of those programs. When Arnold went into the budget, it was all about spending programs on autopilot.” Spending levels on many of those programs had been statutorily mandated, she says, but funding hadn’t, so “if you just sat back and let the programs run, there would never be enough revenue. The legislature was almost not even needed in California.” […]
“When I cut $400 million in pay raises for California correctional officers, we considered getting me a bodyguard,” she recalls. And although she doesn’t seem concerned with how many friends she has, even senators who’ve lost their pet projects to Arduin’s unwavering fiscal conservatism eventually come to respect her. Arduin says she’s known ever since she took the meat cleaver to her first state budget that, in this job, you have to dig in for the long haul. Back in 1991, after Arduin and Patti Woodworth carved $5 billion in programs out of the Michigan state budget, Governor John Engler’s approval rating fell to 13 percent. Arduin didn’t blink. They cut taxes, businesses crept back into Michigan, and, come election time, Engler breezed right into his second term.
Discuss.
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*** UPDATE *** A former aide to Gov. Quinn just called to say that while Quinn didn’t finish his end of term report, they’re still working on it and it’ll be forthcoming.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From the Illinois Constitution…
The Governor, at the beginning of each annual session of the General Assembly and at the close of his term of office, shall report to the General Assembly on the condition of the State and recommend such measures as he deems desirable. [Emphasis added.]
* The AP reports that Pat Quinn didn’t file his report…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn worked right up until his successor was sworn into office last week.
Despite the flurry of activity, the Democrat failed to fulfill a constitutional requirement: a final state-of-the-state message to the Illinois General Assembly.
That makes Quinn the third governor in a row not to do so, although Rod Blagojevich was somewhat preoccupied.
More…
Quinn did not respond to requests for comment this week. But he told The Associated Press before leaving office that he would produce one.
Considering that Quinn’s hires, contracts and executive orders are all either canceled or under review, he might’ve had more long-term impact by submitting that final message.
* And speaking of canceled contracts, there’s an issue at IDOT…
The Rauner administration hasn’t decided whether to proceed with a Jan. 30 deadline for companies to submit bids for the first phase of this year’s road construction season.
“That is under review at this time,” Trover said, “and a decision will be made in the near future.”
Next week’s IDOT bid letting is expected to be fairly big, estimated to be worth more than $200 million for Chicago-area projects alone, according to Michael Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, an industry group.
The freeze definitely puts planning of major new interstate projects, such as the Illiana Expressway, on hold while the administration decides whether to proceed with it. But other maintenance and improvements are more routine and financed largely by the federal government through taxes on motor fuel.
“It’s good the tollway is back on track,” Sturino said. “We hope to get a quick resolution on the IDOT situation, which remains in limbo. If there’s a long delay, it will have an incredibly serious impact on the motoring public, jobs and ability of construction firms to sustain themselves, especially smaller, minority-owned firms.”
* And…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today blocked a deal struck in the final weeks of the Quinn administration to revamp management of the Illinois Lottery, saying the arrangement is illegal and would needlessly cost taxpayers.
In a stunning letter to Lottery Director Michael Jones, Madigan said she has decided to “formally disapprove” a Dec. 9 termination agreement between the Lottery and the controversial private firm that’s managed it, Northstar Lottery Group.
The Quinn administration said the agreement would resolve longstanding disputes over Northstar’s performance, saving the state $10 million a year. But it was immediately ripped by aides to incoming Gov. Bruce Rauner, who termed it “a bad deal” that leave taxpayers worse off than they were before.
In the letter—I obtained a copy from a source close to the matter and confirmed its authenticity—Madigan, a Democrat, clearly sides with Rauner, a Republican.
The deal “purports to extend indemnification to Northstar in excess of the (Lottery’s) statutory authority and in violation of the Illinois Constitution,” Madigan wrote. It violates provisions of the state public-records act, she adds, and instead of favorably resolving a continuing financial dispute “may result in obligating the state to pay more fees and expenses than the state has paid in prior fiscal years.”
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Umm… Huh?
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Legislation introduced Friday by state Rep. Jack D. Franks, D-Marengo, would place a referendum regarding limiting the terms of Illinois’ legislative leaders on the ballot of the next general election.
“The results of the recent elections demonstrate clearly that Illinois residents and taxpayers are fed up with the immovable status-quo in this state,” Franks said. “Placing term limits on legislative leaders is an idea that I hear regularly from constituents and they deserve the opportunity to make their voices heard directly and specifically on this issue.”
House Bill 257 creates the Legislative Leader Term Limit Referendum Act, which would ask a non-binding, advisory question of Illinoisans voting in the November 1, 2016 general election. Voters would have the opportunity to weigh in on whether the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President of the Illinois Senate and both the House and Senate Minority Leaders should be term limited as leaders of the Illinois General Assembly’s two chambers.
“While our state grapples with numerous policy questions which will have implications that ripple long into the future, I believe this debate should be included,” Franks added. “The structures of government upon which we rely are clearly due for an overhaul and the wisdom of our constituents should be a valuable addition to the discussions.”
Rep. Franks, of course, voted for Speaker Madigan’s reelection last week.
* And remember Will Guzzardi? He thumped Rep. Toni Berrios last year in the Democratic primary with an anti-Springfield message. Here’s something I wrote about him last year…
There’s no question that Democrat Will Guzzardi ran a highly effective outsider campaign against state Rep. Toni Berrios (D-Chicago) earlier this year. Guzzardi soundly defeated Rep. Berrios, the daughter of Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios, and along the way told the Chicago Tribune “The monolithic structures of power in Springfield aren’t doing any good for anyone.”
It’s not difficult to discern who he was talking about. The longest serving House Speaker in Illinois history is the very embodiment of a “monolithic structure of power.”
So, there have been some expectations that Guzzardi might not cast his vote for Michael Madigan’s reelection as Speaker next January, he said last week that he hasn’t yet made up his mind.
“That’s something I intend to figure out when the vote comes up,” Guzzardi said.
Well, he figured it out. Guzzardi also voted for Madigan, despite the fact that Madigan’s didn’t do any good for anyone.
Every House Democrat voted for Madigan except Rep. D’Amico, whose mom died last week, which kept him from attending the session.
32 Comments
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Unclear on the concept
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Umm…
Mayoral challenger Willie Wilson demanded Thursday that the FBI and the Illinois attorney general’s office investigate Rahm Emanuel’s campaign and its mass mailing in the hunt for absentee voters.
Wilson initially accused Emanuel’s re-election campaign of mailing actual absentee ballots that instruct voters to return them to Chicago for Rahm Emanuel, P.O. Box 1346, Chicago.
But Election Board spokesman Jim Allen said the mass mailing, like those used extensively by Gov. Bruce Rauner and former Gov. Pat Quinn, actually include absentee ballot applications — not the ballots themselves. […]
“If somebody fills out an absentee ballot, it should be going to the Board of Elections — not to his place and his people. Not to someplace where he can control it. Who would trust him? Voting is supposed to be a sacred thing,” said Wilson, who recently donated $1 million to his own campaign.
I can see why some folks might want to change the law about ballot applications, but there’s nothing illegal with having people mail their applications to the candidates.
* Meanwhile…
A couple fights over red-light tickets until they agree to “dump Rahm and stay together,” in a radio ad promoting the mayoral candidacy of Willie Wilson.
In the comical radio spot airing on city stations, a man admits, “I just got a red-light ticket.”
“What!?” says a woman, until she admits, “I got one yesterday. I just didn’t want to tell you.”
“I want a divorce,” says the man.
“I want a new mayor,” responds the woman, and they go back and forth until she suggests, “Let’s just dump Rahm and stay together,” to which the man agrees.
The spot is classic Rickey Hendon…
* This one wasn’t as fun…
Even by the standards of a local political scene that’s often as filthy as a port-a-potty at Taste of Chicago, the metaphor used in a new city election campaign ad is pretty crappy.
“It’s time for an enema in the black community!” flamboyant former state Sen. Rickey “Hollywood” Hendon shouts in the spot that’s been airing on black radio over the past few days.
Hendon calls on Chicago’s African-American voters to unseat Mayor Rahm Emanuel as well as many black City Council members in next month’s election.
The ad…
* Related…
* ADDED: New CTU Poll Shows Garcia Losing Ground to Emanuel
* State Rep. McSweeney Moves to Eliminate Red Light Cameras in Illinois
* Victory Auto Wreckers to replace its classic car-door-falling-off commercial
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Rauner roundup
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* INN quoting Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday..
“Everybody wants to talk about, the politicians want to talk about, well let’s raise the income tax to fix the debt or the problem. Raising taxes, that issue alone, won’t come nowhere near fixing the problem and in fact will make parts of the problem worse and just kick the can down the road. This is the critical lesson that we’re seeing. We’re on an unsustainable path, we need fundamental structural change and raising taxes alone in itself isn’t going to fix the problem and in a lot of ways its gonna make the problem worse make it worse.”
* Sun-Times…
In his remarks to the students, Rauner provided a digital presentation — which he called a preview of his Feb. 4 state of the state address — criticizing everything from the state’s Medicaid spending, state employee salaries, workers’ compensation costs and job creation, while comparing Illinois to neighboring states.
Although not providing specific solutions to the issues, he did indicate cuts to employee salaries and Medicaid.
* AP…
He said higher-than-average costs of workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance are driving businesses out of the state, property taxes are “brutally high,” and “shenanigans” in the public employee pension system have made Illinois’ multibillion-dollar pension debt “a time bomb for taxpayers.”
* Crain’s…
Specifically, citing data from the Pew Center on the States, he said the average Illinois state employee made a salary of $63,660 in 2012—higher than any state except New Jersey and California—and a good 10 percent or more above levels in other big states such as Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. That means that, while the number of people in the state payroll has steadily dropped for more than a decade, total payroll cost is up hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
“This is really troubling,” Rauner said, shaking his head.
Rauner cited other data that he said show that the average public sector worker in the state makes almost 22 percent more than those in the private sector, a difference of $11,300 per year.
* Erickson…
In a report by University of Illinois labor experts, state and local government workers in Illinois were found to earn 13.5 percent less on average than workers in the private sector with comparable educations. The gap more than doubles for state workers with college degrees.
In other words, said one of the study’s authors, Rauner’s premise doesn’t account for a key factor in what drives labor costs: education.
“It’s a myth,” Robert Bruno said of Rauner’s overpaid-worker assertion.
* Tribune…
Rauner said his administration has closely examined agency budgets and contracts and concluded that “government is being run more for the benefit of the people in the government rather than the benefit of the service recipients and the taxpayers.”
“That’s pretty clear,” Rauner said.
What’s less clear is how Rauner plans to change that, as he again offered no specific policy ideas or initiatives. Rather, Rauner said he plans to propose “a number of reforms” in his State of the State speech, which will be followed by his first budget proposal on Feb. 18.
“There’s going to be a lot of give and take after this, (there’ll) be months and months of working, negotiating, structuring, coming up with legislation to get things turned around,” Rauner said.
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Another possible Kirk foe emerges
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Lynn Sweet…
Rep. Robin Kelly D-Ill. is mulling a U.S. Senate run, making her the fourth member of the Illinois Democratic House delegation looking at a 2016 challenge to Sen. Mark Kirk R-Ill.
“She is doing her due diligence to see if there is a path for her to run,” spokesman Kayce Ataiyero told the Sun-Times Friday morning.
“She believes that given her strong experience in all levels of government, she would be a strong candidate to represent Illinois in the Senate,” Ataiyero said.
The other Illinois House Democrats weighing a run are Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Bill Foster and Rep. Cheri Bustos.
Discuss.
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*** UPDATED x2 - ACLU responds *** Calm down
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A report by the St. Louis Fox TV affiliate has created some controversy…
A new Illinois law aimed at stopping cyber-bullying, gives schools access to kids social media accounts. Some say the law goes too far.
Previously Illinois schools could take action against students if online bullying occurred, such as something posted on Twitter or Facebook during the school day.
However, with the new law that Illinois legislators approved, school districts and universities in Illinois can demand a student’s social media password. The new law states if a school has a reasonable cause to believe that a student’s account on a social network contains evidence that a student has violated a schools disciplinary rule of policy. Even if it’s posted after school hours.
This week some school districts sent home letters to notify parents and students about the new rules. ” To get into a social networking site and it could be at a school or at home. That we would be able to get that password and get onto their account,” said Leigh Lewis Triad Community Unity School District Superintendent.
* That piece prompted a story in the Christian Science Monitor entitled: “Big Brother: Can your school require your Facebook password?”…
The conversations around data privacy and internet safety just got hotter.
A new Illinois state law can now compel students to hand over their social media login credentials to their school if school and state officials believe it can help prevent hostile online behavior – raising privacy concerns among parents and students alike. […]
On the other hand, as Illinois mom Sara Bozarth told local Fox affiliate KTVI: “It’s one thing for me to take my child’s social media account and open it up, or for the teacher to look or even a child to pull up their social media account, but to have to hand over your password and personal information is not acceptable to me.”
* Some in the right-wing blogosphere have picked it up…
Students in Illinois are required to give teachers their social media passwords or face criminal charges under a new state law that is intended to tackle cyberbullying. However, some say this rule violates personal privacy.
* OK, to the bill. Cyber-bullying is defined…
“Cyber-bullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photoelectronic system, or photooptical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. “Cyber-bullying” includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section. “Cyber-bullying” also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section.
* The legislation expands the scope of the state’s existing anti-bullying statute to include cyber-bullying…
No student shall be subjected to bullying… through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, eased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school.
This item applies only in cases in which a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred and does not require a district or school to staff or monitor any nonschool-related activity, function, or program. [Emphasis added]
* The existing statute required that “Each school district and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school shall create and maintain a policy on bullying, which policy must be filed with the State Board of Education.” The new law adds this…
The policy or implementing procedure shall include a process to investigate whether a reported act of bullying is within the permissible scope of the district’s or school’s jurisdiction and shall require that the district or school provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the district and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs.
So, it’s left up to the schools to determine the policy. Triad wants passwords. No other district is identified in any story as asking for passwords. But even if they do copy that policy, it doesn’t mean they can legally get those passwords.
And it most certainly doesn’t mean that state law “requires” parents and students to fork over those passwords.
*** UPDATE 1 *** As a commenter notes below, the above stories cited the wrong state statute. A law which took effect over a year ago allows the password order…
An elementary or secondary school must provide notification to the student and his or her parent or guardian that the elementary or secondary school may request or require a student to provide a password or other related account information in order to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website if the elementary or secondary school has reasonable cause to believe that the student’s account on a social networking website contains evidence that the student has violated a school disciplinary rule or policy.
There are no state penalties listed for parents, however.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Ed Yohnka at the ACLU of Illinois…
Thank you so much for shining a bright light on the hysteria around the cyber-bullying legislation passed last year. As you note, a report about a single school district demanding the usernames and passwords of students’ social media accounts created a firestorm across the blogosphere, raising fears that the new law permitted a dragnet collection of such data. Obviously this is not true. Indeed, during the course of the discussion on the measure, no one ever suggested that such a mass collection of data from students was permissible. This view has been reaffirmed by the primary sponsor of the measure.
The ACLU of Illinois opposed this measure out of concern that it created an expectation that school administrators now would become investigators not of activity that takes place within the school walls and during school hours, but also investigation of activities that take place outside of school hours, activities that have no connection to school.
We note your update, referencing the previous law that appears to require that a school notify parents and students that school may seek password information in some circumstances. We would note that the law suggests that the passwords would be sought only where there is some evidence (”reasonable cause”) of a disciplinary violation — and does not carry a penalty if the parent refuses.
But the headline here is that, despite some reporting, no law in Illinois permits the broad collection of students’ private passwords.
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Rauner announces “turnaround team”
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Following a presentation at the University of Chicago, where he laid out a number of structural issues facing Illinois, Governor Bruce Rauner today announced his Turnaround Team, a group of extremely talented individuals who have deep experience in management, budgets, and streamlining bureaucracies.
“Our current trajectory is unsustainable as a state,” said Gov. Rauner. “I’ve long promised to bring superstars from both inside Illinois and out to help turn our state around and I know Donna, Trey and Linda are the perfect trio to do just that.”
Donna Arduin, CFO
Donna Arduin has established a reputation for bringing government spending under control through long-term policy planning and fiscally responsible budgeting. She is a veteran of state budget management and tax reform and as budget director, led toward responsibility the budgets of Michigan, under Governor Engler; New York, under Governor Pataki; Florida under Governor Bush; and California, under Governor Schwarzenegger. A graduate of Duke University, Arduin graduated magna cum laude with honors in economics and public policy. Prior to her career in the public sector, she worked as an analyst in New York and Tokyo in the private financial markets for Morgan Stanley and Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan.
Trey Childress, Deputy Governor
Trey Childress served as the COO for the State of Georgia under two governors. He was responsible for leadership and supervision of Georgia’s 50 state departments, agencies, and boards and commissions while leading government transformation initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget, and was responsible for the State’s $32 billion budget, annual capital outlay portfolio of $1 billion and state business planning during the unprecedented revenue losses of the Great Recession. Childress previously served as Senior Adviser and Director of Policy for the Office of the Governor with the successful passage of more than 30 signature policy initiatives in education, health care, transportation, taxation and natural resources. He began his career in public service working with the former Georgia Information Technology Policy Council, the Georgia Technology Authority and the Office of Planning & Budget. During his service, Georgia was recognized as one of the best managed states in the country by Governing Magazine. Childress earned a master’s degree in public policy and bachelor’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering and international affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Linda Lingle, Senior Adviser
Linda Lingle was the first woman elected governor of Hawaii, serving two terms from 2002-2010. Gov. Lingle oversaw a $10 billion annual budget and made state government more transparent, responsive and accountable. Prior to her role as governor, she served as the Mayor of Maui County for eight years, and was a member of the Maui County Council for ten years prior to that. Gov. Lingle began her career as the founder, editor and owner of the Moloka’i Free Press. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge. She is a native of St. Louis, Mo.
Arduin has a consulting business with Arthur Laffer. She has repeatedly pushed for huge budget and tax cuts elsewhere, including in Kansas. More background here.
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Cicero’s Dominick on a roll
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Back in 2012-13, the Sun-Times and other media outlets went on a crusade against Cicero’s town president and printed pretty much anything that came out of his opponent Juan Ochoa’s mouth. Here’s how the CS-T reported the election results…
Cicero voters Tuesday ignored allegations of corruption, sexual harassment and nepotism in town hall and overwhelmingly re-elected Larry Dominick for a third term as the leader of the hardscrabble western suburb.
* Ochoa filed a lawsuit during the campaign…
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, challenger Juan Ochoa says Larry Dominick, town officials and the Cicero Voters Alliance “have launched an extensive crusade” of harassment and intimidation to stop him from running for office.
Along with stalking claims, the suit alleges the organization has violated the Illinois Election Code, falsely accused Ochoa of using gang members in his campaign and has tried to split the Hispanic vote by putting other Hispanic candidates on the ballot.
“Larry Dominick and the Cicero political committee is a criminal organization, and they are actively suppressing the vote, lying and intimidating voters,” said Ochoa’s attorney, Frank Avila. “We have filed a suit to bring justice and change to Cicero.”
* Well, that lawsuit was eventually ruled to be a politically motivated SLAPP suit, meaning it was designed to curtail free speech rights.
And then today, a Cook County judge awarded the Town of Cicero and Dominick’s Cicero Voters Alliance a total of $30,000 in legal fees. Click here to read the order.
* From a press release…
“I am happy that this purely political move to grab pre-election publicity back in 2012 has been exposed for the fraud that it is,” said President Dominick.
“The only people who were harassing voters were the street gang members identified in the Chicago Crime Commission Street Gang Handbook who worked on Ochoa’s campaign. The vast majority of voters saw through Ochoa’s phony campaign lies. And the voters and public stood by my administration’s proven record of delivering new jobs, new businesses, improving safety, fighting street gangs, and increasing services for everyone including Senior Citizens, youth and families.”
Ochoa’s lawsuit was filed on Dec. 11, 2012 by political activist and lawyer Frank Avila Jr., the son of controversial Water Reclamation District Trustee Frank Avila, Sr. The Ochoa/Avila lawsuit had been dismissed twice by the courts, first on Dec. 5, 2013 and again on July 21, 2014.
* Meanwhile…
A federal appeals court last week ordered that a Hinsdale attorney be sanctioned for misconduct, a move that could potentially return to the Town of Cicero’s coffers $287,500 in legal fees.
A United States Court of Appeals 7th Circuit panel last Monday, January 12, handed down an opinion and, essentially, ordered federal judge Thomas Durkin to sanction attorney Dana Kurtz of suburban Hinsdale for “serious misconduct”.
The court’s decision involves a 2008 case in which Kurtz sued Cicero and Town President Larry Dominick for allegedly firing a city employee, Merced Rojas, over his support of a Dominick political opponent.
Judge Frank Easterbrook, who wrote the appeals panel’s six-page opinion, faulted Durkin for neglecting to sanction Kurtz’s misconduct at the trial where her victory over Cicero was quickly set-aside by judge James Holderman.
That opinion is here.
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Former Hawaii governor to be state’s COO
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday announced that former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle will join his administration.
In remarks at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, Rauner said Lindle will come on board in what appears to be the newly created position of chief operating officer.
Before he was chief of staff, Jack Lavin was chief operating officer. So, this isn’t a new title, but we’ll see what Rauner’s job concept entails.
* In other appointment news…
Springfield Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe is transitioning into a new state job.
He was deputy chief of staff to late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and has retained that position under new Comptroller Leslie Munger. But after the spring legislative session, he will be full time in a new job as the state’s director of tourism, said Lance Trover, spokesman for Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Trover said Wednesday that Jobe will split time between being director of tourism and working for the comptroller until the session ends. The target date for completion of the session is May 31.
“While transitioning, he will remain on the comptroller’s payroll,” Trover said, adding that he did not believe the tourism salary for Jobe has been set.
Jobe has focused on tourism in the city council and is well-versed on the topic.
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As if we don’t have enough problems right now…
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Jamey Dunn…
According to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau this year, the percentage of the population age 65 and older increased from 4.1 percent in 1900 to 14 percent in 2013. The Census Bureau projects that by 2030, nearly one in five residents will be 65 or older.
The demographic trends in Illinois are similar. Census estimates for 2013 peg Illinois’ over-65 population at almost 14 percent.
By 2030, that number is expected to go up to 18 percent, meaning that an estimated 2.4 million people in the state will be 65 or older.
And that means higher costs for services like Medicaid and even prisons…
Thirteen percent of inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections are 50 years old or older, according to statistics compiled by the Chicago Reader. If current trends bear out, the number of inmates 50 or older will double within six years. Incarceration costs for older inmates can be twice as expensive as those for younger ones.
…Adding… From IDOC…
Based on the average cost of approximately $22,000 per year inmate in IDOC, incarceration of its 7,729 inmates over age 50 costs approximately $170 million per year. That is roughly 13.4% of the Department’s annual budget–between 1/7 and 1/8 of the budget, which is much, much less than the “one third” stated in the Illinois Issues/WUIS piece.
Don’t forget the tax revenues lost as well…
If all of that doesn’t seem like a big enough challenge to Illinois, the state will also see its revenues shrink as more of its population leaves the workforce. Illinois relies heavily on income taxes but does not tax retirement income. Senior citizens also get a break on their property taxes, which fund local services and schools.
So, while seniors demand more from the state, they will be paying fewer of the tax dollars needed to keep the whole operation afloat. The Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, when all the Boomers will be over the age of 65, there will be fewer than three working age people to each person of retirement age in the country.
“On the revenue side, I think the issue doesn’t get enough attention,” says Kurt Thurmaier, chair of the Department of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University. “You have a smaller and smaller group of younger people who are earning income, and the equation just doesn’t balance.”
Oy.
Go read the whole thing.
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Rauner: Judicial system “broken”
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the twitters…
* And while I’m not sure we can draw a direct line between PM and Justice Karmeier, this can help show how money from trial lawyers isn’t the only problem…
As the U.S. Supreme Court hears another case testing the boundary lines for campaign contributions in judicial elections, new information has surfaced about the role money played in a hotly contested race last year for Illinois’ highest court.
The parent company of Philip Morris USA contributed a total of $500,000 on Oct. 6 and 8 to a Republican Party group, a few weeks after the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear the tobacco company’s appeal of a $10.1 billion verdict. About two weeks later, the Republican State Leadership Committee put $950,000 into independent campaign ads supporting the retention of Lloyd Karmeier, a Republican Illinois Supreme Court justice.
Previously, the only known contributions from the parent company, Altria Group, to the RSLC were made in 2013, totaling about $225,000.
Brian Mays, a spokesman for Richmond, Va.-based Altria, denied any impropriety.
“Neither Altria nor any of its companies contributed to Lloyd Karmeier’s 2004 election nor in 2014,” he said. “We did contribute $500,000 to the Republican State Leadership Committee. What’s important about that contribution is that we informed the RSLC both orally and in writing that our contributions could not be used in judicial elections.”
The other side spent $2 million against Karmeier, almost all from trial lawyers, many of whom are involved with big money cases pending before the court.
…Adding… From comments…
If Rauner agrees with you, then spending money is your first amendment right and people who try to regulate you are unpatriotic.
If Rauner disagrees with you, the system is broken because you might have influence.
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* From the Illinois Policy Institute…
Illinois logged a record exodus in 2014, sustaining a net loss of 95,000 people to other states, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And two of North America’s largest moving companies revealed data showing that Illinois’ rate of outbound traffic spiked in 2014, confirming the Census Bureau’s numbers.
As a result of massive out-migration, Illinois’ population shrank by 10,000 people from July 2013-July 2014. This means that more people fled Illinois than were born in Illinois in 2014. The state’s population had not decreased since 1988. […]
Only New York lost more people to net migration, as the two states once again battled it out to be the nation’s largest exporter of talent. Meanwhile, states such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and the Carolinas happily herded more of the nation’s talent pool across their borders.
* Tribune…
When demographer William Frey of the Brookings Institution analyzed the annual Census Bureau estimates, two facts jumped out at him. First, Florida overtook New York to become the third-most-populous state (after California and Texas). And second, Illinois is badly leaking people.
“The faucet is starting to turn up in terms of moving to the Sun Belt,” Frey tells us. “Obviously states in the Northeast and Midwest, like Illinois, are going to be part of that surge.” But still: “I was quite surprised by the Illinois out-migration and that there is negative growth.” […]
Three moving companies that look at migration patterns all note the high number of Illinois expats in new reports. Each company puts Illinois in the top three states for outbound shipments; Allied Van Lines ranks Illinois No. 1 with 1,372 net outbound moves. While these are limited figures reflecting the movement of entire households, demographers take them seriously as a snapshot of behavior by more affluent Americans.
The three states that attract the most Illinois residents are Texas, Florida and California, according to the Illinois Policy Institute, citing 2010 tax records, the most recent available. The moving companies see a lot of people heading for Oregon and North Carolina.
* Charting the state’s net loss history…
* And then there’s this from the Illinois Review…
In a chart recently published by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the agency showed that in 1990, 196,000 babies were born in Illinois. That proved to be the high mark for Illinois in the past 24 years.
For seven years, the state’s live birth numbers fell consistently until 1997, when it hit 180,000. The numbers huddled around that mark for eleven years, and then when the 2008 recession hit, not only did people leave Illinois seeking jobs, they took their babies and future babies with them. Live births in Illinois began to fall precipituously.
Illinois live births quickly fell from 180,000 in 2007 to just over 170,000 in 2009 and two years later, by another 10,000 to 160,000.
The chart…
* Related…
* Chicago area’s economic recovery lags other urban areas, study finds
* CPS school closings provided only modest gains to students
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A first for southern Illinois?
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Southern Illinoisan reports that newly inaugurated state Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is the first female state legislator from deep southern Illinois…
“I don’t think there’s much doubt about that,” John Jackson of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU said about Bryant being the area’s first female lawmaker.
Jackson, a longtime political scientist at SIU, said other women have run for the position in the area, but Bryant is the first to hold the office.
“This is a very traditional and socially conservative district and there has been a certain bias in favor of male candidates in the rural U.S. and internationally,” Jackson said.
He said it has been very hard for women to get elected because of the bias. He believes Bryant was elected because of, “The Republican red wave that over ran everything in sight.”
Even so, Jackson says that the number of women in the General Assembly dropped from 61 to 54.
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* Tribune…
The Rev. James Meeks took over as chairman of the State Board of Education on Wednesday and immediately backed the idea of a 10.7 percent increase in school spending despite the state’s serious financial woes. […]
Much of the proposed $729 million increase would be poured into general state aid to ensure at least $6,119 is spent on each pupil in Illinois. The current year’s budget provided only 89 percent of the money needed to fund per-pupil spending at the same level. […]
Sen. Kim Lightford, a Maywood Democrat and longtime education advocate, said lawmakers want to hear what Rauner intends to do. “Perhaps he’s got an idea that we’re not made aware of yet that will generate revenue,” she said.
A Rauner spokesman neither endorsed nor rejected the Meeks-led education board’s spending recommendations.
Keep in mind that candidate Rauner repeatedly claimed that Pat Quinn had cut state education spending, when spending had actually risen a bit.
Chairman Meeks has set the bar extremely high here during an extraordinary fiscal mess. Somehow, Rauner has to deal with a $9 billion deficit next fiscal year and still come up with more money for K-12.
Governing ain’t easy, particularly in Illinois right now.
* Meanwhile, Sen. Andy Manar has tweaked his school funding reform bill…
Manar’s revamped proposal would still require schools to demonstrate need before receiving almost any state money by showing how much local revenue they have to spend on students. Wealthier districts that rely largely on property tax revenues to fund their schools would receive less state aid, while property-poor districts would receive more.
Regional cost differences would be determined by separating areas into different labor markets and looking at the average salaries of college graduates within those markets.
In addition to accounting for regional cost differences, Manar also plans to see that districts with higher than average numbers of special education students receive more funding, as well as to require a more thorough reporting of how districts spend state money on bilingual programs.
Adding in the regional cost factor “makes a more realistic calculation of the cost of educating students across the state is,” according to Ben Boer, deputy director for education reform group Advance Illinois.
*** UPDATE *** Sen. Manar didn’t share the complete bill draft with the AP. He did send them some bullet points and here they are…
Subject: SB 1
Working from SB 16 as the Senate passed it, here are the changes we are likely to include:
Amendments to Address ELL Accountability: Ensuring accountability consistent with current law for funds provided on account of ELL students.
Special Education: Allowing districts to demonstrate a special education population higher than the statewide average, and allowing that percentage to be used for the formula (subject to a cap at 5% points above the statewide average)
Low-income: Continuing to use the DHS count through the 16-17 school year, and then moving to a count based on 185% of the federal poverty level once better data is available. The changes also propose a slight downward adjustment for the low-income concentration weighting factor (moving from .90 to .80).
Regionalization: Adding a regionalization factor based on the Comparable Wage Index developed for the National Center for Education Statistics. This index measures systemic, regional variations in the salaries of college graduates. This system is currently being used in Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York.
Adequacy Grant: Adding a new hold harmless “adequacy grant” that targets funding to relatively low-spend, high tax districts. “Low spend” is determined based on the district’s operating expense per pupil in comparison to an “adequacy target” based on the EFAB recommended funding level and the district’s weights based on its student characteristics.
Adequacy Study: Moving up the timeline for the adequacy study so the procurement and contracting for it will occur as soon as the bill is enacted and funding is appropriated for the study.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* And in other budget-related news…
Gov. Bruce Rauner has given the Illinois Tollway the greenlight to proceed with more than $1 billion worth of rebuilding and widening projects this year, officials said Wednesday.
The projects appeared to be on hold after Rauner issued an executive order his first day in office barring state agencies from awarding major contracts without approval from his administration.
The Tollway doesn’t use GRF money, so the spending wouldn’t have impacted the budget.
* Related…
* Kennedy revived University of Illinois—but at what cost?
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Not so blind and a whole lot of trust
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Tribune reports today that Gov. Bruce Rauner’s announcement that he’d put his assets into a blind trust wasn’t exactly accurate…
Documents made public by Rauner show he executed a power of attorney granting management authority over his investments to Roundtable Investment Partners, a firm in which Rauner is an investor. Roundtable’s CEO donated more than $50,000 to Rauner’s campaign, state records show. […]
He promised that all information about his investments would bypass him and be routed to Roundtable, and he also said Roundtable would be instructed to share with him only the minimum details he needs to accurately complete his state financial disclosure.
Those promises aren’t legally binding, of course.
* However, there’s a good reason why Rauner did it this way, says his spokesman. Illinois’ ethics law…
Lance Trover, a spokesman for Rauner, said the governor used the term “blind trust” to describe the type of safeguards he sought to replicate. Trover said it was not “feasible” for the Republican to establish a traditional blind trust and still comply with Illinois ethics law that requires officeholders to annually list investments doing business in the state.
“This is the strongest possible structure that both established blind trust procedures and allows the Rauners to fully comply with the state’s economic disclosure laws moving forward,” said Trover, who noted that blind trusts can be used to shield a politician’s assets from public view. “Doing this ensures to the people of Illinois that Gov. Rauner will not try to hide his financial assets behind a blind trust.”
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Supremes keep pension case on fast track
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From yesterday…
Lawyers contesting the Illinois law that overhauls a state pension program that is $111 billion in debt are asking the state Supreme Court for an extra month to file arguments.
Attorneys for state employees, retired teachers and others who contest the constitutionality of the law say they need until March 16, WUIS-FM 91.9 radio in Springfield reported.
The high court agreed in December to fast-track the state’s appeal of a lower court ruling in November that the measure is unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs are challenging a law adopted in late 2013 that reduces pension benefits and raises the retirement age for workers 45 and younger to reduce a monstrous fiscal hole in the state’s pension accounts.
The attorneys wanted time to respond to a myriad of amicus briefs filed in support of the government’s case.
* The Supreme Court took a telling short cut today and simply denied the government’s request to allow the amicus briefs…
In light of the Court’s granting of defendants’ motion to hear this appeal on an expedited basis at the March 2015 term, all motions for leave to file briefs as amici curiae are DENIED.
The plaintiffs’ motion for an extension of time to file their appellees’ brief is DENIED AS MOOT.
The fast track continues.
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Today’s number: 19
Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WGN…
Latinos comprise 4% of state government, a number State Senator Iris Martinez says they fought for. Now 19 out of 29 Latino staffers have been let go without an interview and only a couple have been replaced by other Latinos.
Governor Rauner’s spokesperson says it’s only been a week and that they’re not done hiring. Lance Trouver says Latinos will definitely be hired. He says five staff members are Latino and even the lieutenant governor, Evelyn Sanguinetti, is Hispanic.
But Senator Martinez says she wants Latinos in high-level positions that work closely with the Hispanic community, such as public health and health and family services — all positions held by non-Latinos.
Four Latino cabinet members were let go. So far no Latinos have been hired to replace them.
Your thoughts?
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Rauner unhurt when motorcade involved in crash
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Hiram Grau today released the following statement regarding the four-vehicle, injury crash that occurred at Michigan Avenue at E. Randolph Street involving the Governor’s motorcade.
Illinois State Police Executive Protection Unit (EPU) officers were completing a routine movement of Governor Rauner this morning when a traffic crash occurred in the intersection directly in-front of them.
The Governor’s motorcade was stationary at a red light preparing to travel westbound on E. Randolph Street when a two vehicle crash occurred. One of the vehicles spun out of control after the crash and slid across the intersection striking the vehicle Governor Rauner was riding in along with ISP officers and another vehicle.
Neither the Governor nor any ISP officers suffered injury in the crash. Damage was sustained to the front right bumper/fender area of the vehicle in which the Governor was traveling.
A total of three people involved in the initial crash were transported to Northwestern Medical Center with nonlife threatening injuries for treatment. The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene to handle the crash.
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Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on?
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Lori Healey is widely respected and she’ll probably do a good job. But shake-em-up outsider she ain’t…
Sneed has learned Lori Healey, who organized the NATO/G8 summits in Chicago in 2012 and ran the 2016 Chicago Olympic bid committee, has emerged as the front-runner to head the powerful Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority — also known as McPier.
“She’s not only the front-runner, she’s a shoo-in for the job,” said a top Sneed source.
“Healey, who had served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s chief of staff, is now CEO of Tur Partners — an investment firm founded by Daley and his son, Patrick.
Sneed is told the McPier board, which is comprised of nine members — eight of whom are selected by the mayor and the governor and whose chairman is Jack Greenberg — may vote on McPier’s new boss as early as next Tuesday.
* Meanwhile, a most definite shake-em-up former insider was just sworn into office…
[State Board of Education James Meeks], who is the pastor of Salem Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side, sided with Rauner over Gov. Pat Quinn during the 2014 gubernatorial election.
Meeks said his main priority is finding more money for schools. But his appointment has already raised the ire of gay rights groups for his opposition to gay marriage. Meeks downplayed the rift.
“You can have all the assurance in the world that James Meeks is going to work hard for your kid to receive a proper education, for your kid’s school to be funded,” he said. “I’m also a Christian pastor. But I’ll still work hard for kids who are Jewish who go to public schools, kids who are Muslim who go to public schools. This is about ‘How do you help improve the public school system?’ ”
* And Illinois Review isn’t ecstatic about a longtime insurance industry executive and former aide to two GOP governors being appointed to run a major state agency…
One [Rauner] appointment raising social conservatives’ eyebrows is Felicia Norwood, who was named by the governor to be the new Director of Illinois’ Department Healthcare and Family Services. Norwood, who will lead the state’s agency focused on caring for Illinoisans’ health, is also listed on Illinois Planned Parenthood’s website as the current vice-chair of their board of directors.
* The headline and theme here are pure tongue in cheek. Despite all the campaign rhetoric about shaking things up, Rauner definitely needs top-notch managers and policy leaders whom he can trust.
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Will we ever see the Rutherford report?
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I had a brief post yesterday about Treasurer Mike Frerichs refusing FOIA requests for his predecessor’s internal investigation. Erickson has some background and more info…
Rutherford commissioned an internal investigation of the claims and said he would make the probe public when it was complete.
His attorney later said the report must stay under wraps because the former worker, Ed Michalowski, filed a federal lawsuit claiming Rutherford subjected him to a “longstanding pattern of discrimination based upon his sex” from April 2011 to December 2013.
Tuesday’s decision, said Frerichs’ office, came at the request of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who is defending Rutherford in the lawsuit.
“(T)he office of the attorney general has instructed the office of the Illinois state treasurer to not release the investigative report because of the ongoing litigation,” noted Allen Mayer, deputy general counsel for the treasurer’s office.
* AP…
In a letter to the AP, FOIA officer G. Allen Mayer said Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a Democrat, had “instructed” the treasurer not to disclose the findings because Madigan’s office is defending Rutherford against a former employee’s federal lawsuit. […]
Frerichs spokeswoman Paris Ervin pledged that, when court action concludes, Frerichs will work to “quickly get the investigative report released.”
“Releasing the Braver report is important. It must be done,” Ervin said. “Treasurer Frerichs remains committed to transparency and delivering on his promise to release the report but respects the attorney general’s need to handle the litigation appropriately.” […]
Frerichs also released a letter Tuesday from Madigan’s public access counselor, who is supposed to review appeals of FOIA requests denied by public bodies. It stated that Rutherford had properly withheld the report under exemptions to the public access law. The letter was written in response to appeals from WBBM-TV in Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times and a citizen.
* Tribune…
Madigan’s office has ruled that the Rutherford report does not have to be released because it is a “confidential attorney-client work product” and falls under an exemption in state law that prevents the release of “materials prepared or compiled by or for a public body in anticipation of a criminal, civil or administrative proceeding upon the request of an attorney advising the public body.” […]
But even if the case is eventually resolved, the attorney general’s office stopped short of saying that would clear the way for the report to be released.
“Once the litigation is resolved, we will work with the treasurer’s office to conduct the necessary legal research to assess whether the attorney-client privilege can be waived,” Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer Luce said.
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* Gov. Rauner’s office has filed the paperwork to formally appoint Rep. Wayne Rosenthal to head the Department of Natural Resources.
Illinois Review has a piece on possible replacements…
The Illinois Bulletin reports Christian County GOP Chairman Seth McMillan and Omphghent Township Trustee Rob Werden of Prairietown were initially the most pro-active, reaching out to chairmen and asking for their support. Since then Macoupin County attorney Kevin Polo from Gillespie and Montgomery County Board Chairman Roy Hertel are also interested. A fifth candidate emerged over the weekend, former regional superintendent for Christian and Montgomery Counties, Marchelle Kassebaum.
* You may remember Rob Werden because I’ve often written about him here.
Rob is a farmer, sportsman, entrepreneur, former high school agriculture teacher, current director of the Madison County Career and Technical Education System and a very good friend of mine who was born and raised in rural Madison County.
The guy works harder than just about anyone I have ever known and he’d be excellent for that seat. But Madison doesn’t have nearly enough weighted votes to put him in, so he’s gonna need help from at least one more county to make it over the top.
I’m obviously rooting for Rob to win, but I told him when we first talked about this that he shouldn’t expect any special treatment if he ends up getting the seat. I said the same to my dear friend Porter McNeil when he ran for the House. Friends are important to me, but this is business.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Over the weekend, two Democratic congresscritters gave strong indications that they’re gearing up to challenge US Sen. Mark Kirk in 2016, which is expected to be a Democratic year. Tribune…
Rep. Tammy Duckworth ended a political guessing game Monday by making it official that she is exploring a challenge to Sen. Mark Kirk in 2016.
Duckworth, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, told the Tribune she is considering a bid against the Highland Park Republican, raising the potential of a high-dollar campaign between two military veterans known for their comebacks.
Kirk recovered from a major stroke in 2012.
Duckworth came back from losing her legs in the Iraq War in 2004 when the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Defeated in her first try for Congress in 2006, she captured a House seat in 2012.
* Carol Marin…
Could we talk about their divorce?
That divorce was almost two decades ago.
And this is not an election year. Bill Foster, a 59-year-old Democrat, just won his third term by a wide margin in November.
So why now?
Because Foster has begun weighing a run for U.S. Sen Mark Kirk’s seat in 2016. But even if he doesn’t, his next re-election race is always around the corner.
“Ever since Bill decided to go into politics,” said 63-year-old Ann Foster, “every single campaign season since 2008, there are a number of months when I am plagued by constant phone calls. Sometimes in the middle of the night. Dozens of them.”
Those callers, mostly reporters, ask about her 1996 divorce filing in which she requested he move out of the marital residence because “the Defendant has pushed, shoved, and caused physical abuse and emotional harm of the Plaintiff, thereby putting her in fear for not only herself but also for the parties (sic) minor children.’
Ann Foster’s signature is at the bottom.
That document, every election season, has been fodder for opposition blogs and anonymous robo calls asking voters if they knew Bill Foster was a “wife-abuser.”
Though Mrs. Foster’s divorce attorney Friday told me he remembers little about the case, he said he always makes sure clients know what they sign.
Mrs. Foster said she did not read it before signing and told the judge the allegation was absolutely not true, that there was never abuse of any kind. The judge apparently agreed because he allowed Bill Foster to remain in the house.
* And then it was Roll Call’s turn…
Rep. Cheri Bustos said she is not closing the door on running for Senate in Illinois in 2016, marking the third House Democrat to express some level of interest in one of the cycle’s top race targets.
“I’m focusing on my district, focusing on what we hope to accomplish in the coming term,” Bustos said in a Tuesday morning interview with CQ Roll Call in her Longworth office. “And like anything in politics, you don’t close the door to anything and you keep an open mind, and I think you’ve got to weigh what’s good for your district, what’s good for your state and what’s good on a personal level. So for right now, what I would tell you is that I guess that’s kind of the long and short of it: I don’t close the door on anything, but I’m squarely focused on the 17th Congressional District of Illinois.” […]
Bustos, who won re-election in her Quad Cities-based district last cycle by a 10-point margin, skirted the issue of whether Duckworth’s decision will impact her own decision on the race.
“Tammy’s my friend,” Bustos said. “She’s a good public servant, she’s in Congress for the right reasons, she wants to help people, she has a passion, especially on veterans issues, and I think she’s done a superb job in that area. And yes we have talked, we talk regularly, and again I think it’s one of those things where in time all of this will shake out, and she’s got a lot to consider as does Bill Foster, I know he’s considering this, and I think time will take care of however this ends up shaking out.”
* The Question: Which of those three would be the strongest candidate against Sen. Kirk, or would you prefer someone else to run? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
online survey
88 Comments
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First Lady sits for AP interview
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Quinnsters tried to make Diana Rauner’s presidency of the Ounce of Prevention group into an issue last year. I didn’t really think it was a big deal at the time…
Diana Rauner is gearing up as first lady, hiring a prominent Springfield political aide as chief of staff and contemplating initiatives that could include children’s advocacy and restoring the capital city’s Executive Mansion.
The 53-year-old Democrat, who is wife to a Republican governor, has a doctoral degree in developmental psychology and a professional reputation of her own, plans to be a supportive wife and an activist with a second job. She will not step down as unpaid president of the early childhood education not-for-profit group Ounce of Prevention, even though the organization receives state grants. […]
Rauner recognizes that spending cuts are her husband’s mantra, and she knows that could also affect Ounce. She said that because she doesn’t receive a salary, she wouldn’t personally benefit from any funding Ounce receives from the state.
“Diana definitely knows the boundaries and she would not jeopardize the Ounce or herself,” [Lula Ford, an Ounce of Prevention board member] said. “They (the public) will be watching. You know they’re going to put a microscope on her.”
There might be a tiny uproar over her hiring of a state-paid chief of staff at $100K per year in a supposed age of austerity, but that’s been done in the past, so unless somebody really wants to scream loudly and long about it (and I doubt that’ll happen), it’ll pass soon.
Your own thoughts?
72 Comments
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Hizzoner and His Excellency
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have to admit to being just a teeny bit surprised when Mayor Rahm Emanuel showed up for Gov. Bruce Rauner’s inauguration. Yes, the two are friends, but the last poll I saw had Rauner with just a 35 percent approval rating in Chicago and Emanuel has tried hard to remake his image of a plutocrat-friendly Republicrat during the election. But, hizzoner’s people said Chicagoans want to see progress and they want leaders to work together, so Rahm and Bruce have become somewhat of an item…
Governor Bruce Rauner spent his first week in office in Springfield, but made his way back to Chicago this week for Martin Luther King Day where he participated in service projects alongside Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
From all appearances, the mayor and the governor seem to be bi-partisan partners, possibly boasting a relationship better than one shared between former Gov. Pat Quinn and Emanuel.
The two have known each other for more than 20 years, even vacationing together at Rauner’s Montana ranch.
In the first week since Rauner took office, he and Emanuel have shared the same stage three times. That wasn’t the case with former Gov. Pat Quinn.
Electoral politics aside, it’s obviously a net positive for the city to have a governor who gets along well with the mayor.
Republican governors can sometimes do things for Chicago that Democrats can’t or won’t. They can, for instance, drag GOP legislative votes to the table for Chicago’s benefit (like, perhaps, a casino) that Downstate and suburban Democrats don’t want to touch.
If Emanuel wins reelection, a Rauner governorship may bode well for his city’s future. But the state’s budget problems are so horrendous that direct financial aid is probably out of the question.
Anyway, your thoughts?
38 Comments
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Today’s number: -2,900
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Erickson…
The total number of state workers actually dropped during Quinn’s six years in office. The November 2009 total was 68,299 employees versus the November 2014 total of 65,399 employees, according to comptroller records.
91 Comments
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