* Senate President John Cullerton has done his best not to rile things up between himself and House Speaker Madigan. It hasn’t worked…
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said the Illinois Senate’s failure to advance a pension reform measure he backed showed “a lack of leadership,” in that chamber.
The Chicago Sun-Times caught up with Chicago Democrat just moments after the Illinois Senate torpedoed his pension reform plan.
When asked what he thought of the vote he initially responded: “not much.”
The Illinois Senate tonight overwhelmingly defeated a major overhaul of the state’s heavily indebted government worker pension systems, throwing into question whether cost-saving reforms will be approved before Friday night’s adjournment deadline.
The measure, whose architect is House Speaker Michael Madigan, mustered only 16 votes in the Senate while 42 voted against it. The bill needed 30 to pass.
The defeat continued the pension reform stalemate between Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, who has long argued the speaker’s plan is unconstitutional while his own would withstand a legal challenge.
Although Cullerton did not speak out against the Madigan bill during debate, he pointed out that the plan “unilaterally” scaled back cost-of-living increases, required workers to chip in more from paychecks and put limits on the size of a salary that could be counted toward a pension.
* McCormick Place expansion, a new third airport board, Rosemont convention incentives, a Downstate fertilizer plant, a brownfields redevelopment plan and who knows what the heck else, but there’s tons of projects in House Amendment 2 to SB 20. Go check it out.
*** UPDATE *** I haven’t had a chance to read it all yet and I missed the committee hearing, but the budget implementation bill (usually very much worth a read) is here.
* Subscribers have known about both of these developments for days…
With ramped-up talk that House Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross is moving toward a statewide run for Illinois Attorney General, state Rep. Jim Durkin said he’s ready to fill the void.
Earlier this year, Durkin (R-Westchester) a former prosecutor and current corporate litigation attorney, was said to be interested himself in a run for Illinois Attorney General.
On Thursday, however, he said this: “I am pursuing the position as House Minority Leader, if and when that vacancy occurs — that may be in the near future,” Durkin told the Chicago Sun-Times. […]
The news comes as Durkin, 52, announced he would not back a vote on same-sex marriage. “I’ll be voting no.”
Durkin had been rumored to be leaning toward a yes vote.
Lots of others are interested in Cross’ job, as subscribers already know.
* Rep. Elaine Nekrtitz’s spokesman has responded to the We Are One coalition’s research which shows that their pension reform plan saves more than the House’s plan off the unfunded liability…
This new report suggests more significant savings from SB 2404 than SB 1 if you calculate in health care savings from employee choices. But there are a couple of important points.
Senate Bill 1 makes important changes to how Illinois calculates and funds its pension systems according to actuarial science — changes intended to ensure we pay into these systems what is required to meet our obligations. These actuarially appropriate changes are not included in Senate Bill 2404.
Assuming the health care numbers cited are correct, unfunded liability savings are not the only important calculation here. Senate Bill 1 saves a proven $180 billion off the state’s 30-year pension spending — far more than anything saved under SB 2404. And it also provides certainty, predictability and a sufficient solution for a massive problem where SB 2404 falls far short. We remain hopeful this will be considered and SB 1 approved before session ends tomorrow.
So far, no response to the union coalition’s other claim, that the House bill will force teachers into Social Security, driving up costs.
*** UPDATE *** Here’s the Nekritz spokesperson answer on the Social Security question…
Simple answer is it’s an issue that’s not immediate — probably 10-12 years down the road — and could be addressed later. It shouldn’t stand in the way of a real solution like SB 1.
* Personally speaking, this is the best bill of the session. From a press release…
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has asked Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to sign Senate Bill 1775, which would allow Illinois drivers to present electronic proof of insurance to state officials.
The bill, which enables insureds to present the proof without consenting to the access of any other information on their mobile devices, allows insurers to post policies to the Internet for policyholder access, although policyholders will still be able to request a paper copy.
“This legislation will allow insurers to satisfy increasing consumer demand for increased electronic communication and reduce printing and mailing costs,” Deirdre Manna, PCI’s vice president of political engagement and regulatory affairs, said in a statement. “Insurers will still be required to provide paper copies of any documents policyholders request, if that is their preference.”
The Illinois House and Senate both passed the legislation unanimously. The legislature has 30 days to send it to Quinn, who then has 60 days to decide whether to sign it into law.
I am always forgetting to put my new insurance card in my car. Last year, I went through a road block in Williamson County and didn’t have my insurance card in my glove box. So, I got a ticket.
Trouble is, Williamson County (southern Illinois) requires you to hand-deliver a physical copy of the insurance card to the courthouse before they’ll dismiss the charge. You can’t mail it, fax it, e-mail it. Hand deliver.
And Williamson County is a long way from Springfield, man. Thankfully my brother lives in the county and I e-mailed him a copy which he printed and brought to the court building.
U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) [yesterday] met with U.S. Attorney for the Northern District nominee Zachary Fardon to discuss his confirmation process and the need to prioritize prosecution of violent crime in the U.S. Attorney’s office upon his confirmation. Kirk and Durbin urged Fardon to use the full power of the office to pursue and prosecute violent criminals in Chicago and across the Northern District.
“I would like to thank Senator Durbin and our joint bipartisan screening committee for all of the effort that went into recommending Zachary Fardon for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois,” Senator Kirk said. “After meeting with Mr. Fardon today, I am more convinced than ever that he is the right choice for northern Illinois’ next U.S. Attorney. I believe he is the best pick to build upon Patrick Fitzgerald’s legacy and take down dangerous drug gangs like the Gangster Disciples that threaten our communities.”
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) is highly critical of a proposal by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) for mass arrests of 18,000 Gangster Disciples, telling the Sun-Times on Wednesday that Kirk’s approach is “headline grabbing” and an “upper-middle-class, elitist white boy solution to a problem he knows nothing about.” […]
Rush, asked by the Sun-Times to react to Kirk’s proposal said in a phone interview: “It’s a sensational, headline-grabbing, empty, simplistic, unworkable approach.”
If there is $30 million for Congress to spend, better most of it be allocated for “job creation and job training,” to address the gang problem, Rush said.
Rush’s House district includes communities plagued by gang violence. He said his criticism of Kirk is “not to excuse their activities.”
Rush said an arrest sweep “is not going to work. . . . It is not a law and order, lock ‘em up solution.”
* The concealed carry negotiations continue. SJ-R…
The Senate’s top Democrat said Wednesday both sides of the debate have made “a lot of progress” as talks between both houses advance in an attempt to reach some middle ground.
“We’d like to pass a bill,” Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said. “If the two sides were so far apart, there’d be nothing to talk about (and) I’d say this doesn’t look good. But this looks very good.”
Technically, yes, they’re close. But, as with any negotiation, those last items are always the toughest…
But a leading pro-gun lawmaker and sponsor of a more permissive House bill, Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said both chambers are still miles apart over how to approach a “pre-emption” provision pro-gun advocates are pushing that would wipe out all local gun ordinances — even those unrelated to concealed carry. […]
Last week, Phelps’ bill with absolute pre-emption passed the House with 85 votes, he said, adding pre-emption is something pro-gun advocates are not willing to give up.
“You already voted something (like) absolute pre-emption for the whole state; it’s hard to take back something on that because we’d feel like we’d be going backwards,” he said.
After a year’s worth of saying he’s going to run for governor in 2014, Republican state Treasurer Dan Rutherford will formally announce his plans at a series of stops and rallies beginning Sunday.
The first-term statewide officeholder confirmed Thursday that he’ll launch a day’s worth of rallies in Chicago on Sunday and then head south for stops in Pontiac and Springfield.
He’ll make a formal announcement to the press on Monday in Springfield.
The 58-year-old Pontiac native will be the first to formally enter what could be a crowded GOP race. Other potential candidates include wealthy hedge fund manager Bruce Rauner of Chicago and state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale.
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley gave some love last week to state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who is running for governor in 2014.
Daley was receiving a “Chicago Champion Award” at the Chicago Innovations Award Un-Gala, held May 22 at Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie St. At the end of his prepared remarks, he pointed out Rutherford.
Mispronouncing the treasurer’s name as “RUTH-er-ford,” rather than “ROOTH-er-ford” (Da Mare has not become more eloquent in retirement), Daley said he was a wonderful man and a politician who has done more than many for our great state of Illinois.
* 18 states already have some form of online voter registration. If sent to the governor, the new plan would begin next July, after the primary…
llinoisans could someday register to vote via the internet under legislation endorsed Wednesday by the Illinois Senate.
The measure, which is just one piece of a package of proposed state election law changes being considered by state lawmakers, is designed to make the voting process more appealing to a bloc of potential voters who rarely come out in force. […]
Under the plan, the state would set up a system in which applicants could register through the state Board of Elections website, using a driver’s license and the last four digits of a Social Security number. The state would then transmit the registration to the person’s home county. […]
Cook County Clerk David Orr said online registration could be cheaper than the current paper process. In a statement, Orr said other states have seen a drop in the cost of processing a registration from 83 cents to 3 cents.
* There are some controversial aspects to the omnibus bill, however…
A political dispute over the future of elections in Lake County has consumed top officials, as its top Democrat favors turning voting control over to a new board and a bipartisan collection of other leaders is pushing back hard.
The Illinois Senate on Thursday approved lengthy statewide elections legislation that emerged this week. Tucked inside is a plan that would take away election supervision from County Clerk Willard Helander and create a five-member board to handle voting.
Most local officials are poised to keep their controversial power to kick political opponents off the ballot after lobbying from those officials helped stall a reform proposal in the General Assembly.
Instead, a piecemeal effort is moving forward that will abolish panels that rule on candidate eligibility in school districts only, shifting such authority to the county level. The latest proposal leaves the controversial panels in place for cities, villages, community colleges and townships across the state.
While critics of the current system support changes for the school districts, they say the final proposal will do nothing to stop scores of other local candidates from being kicked off the ballot by political opponents for questionable reasons.
Cook County Clerk David Orr called it “disappointing.” And David Morrison, acting director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said it was “an unfortunate retreat” because city and village panels tend to be the most political and face the most criticism.
An Illinois Senate pension reform plan would reduce state indebtedness to current and future retirees by more than a rival House proposal if health insurance costs are counted, a new analysis by a league of union groups shows.
A study by the We Are One Illinois shows that if half of employees and retirees choose to forgo post-career health insurance as part of Senate President John Cullerton’s proposal, the state’s debt to two health insurance programs would be cut in half, by $26 billion. […]
In an analysis released last week, Nekritz pointed out that if roughly half of employees and retirees choose to forgo health care in favor of compounded cost-of-living increases in annual pension payouts, the Cullerton idea would only drop the pension liability by $6 billion.
The review acknowledged that it didn’t count savings in retiree health care - a bill of $52 billion in addition to the $97 billion pension shortfall.
* From the We Are One Coalition…
SB 2404: Health Care Savings Estimate
In contrast, evidence continues to mount that SB 2404 saves more than previously recognized. Leaders of We Are One Illinois have produced a new, preliminary estimate of $26 billion in health care savings in the coalition-supported legislation, Senate Bill 2404, based on the choice outcome suggested by SB 1 supporters. This brings the total immediate savings on the health care and pension unfunded liabilities to $31 billion – more than SB 1.
SB 1 supporters have wrongly argued that SB 2404 does not save enough. They estimate that because 50% will choose to opt out of retiree health care, that SB 2404 will save approximately $6 billion immediately off the pension unfunded liability.
But this calculation fails to include the significant health care savings that would accrue from a 50% health care opt out. If 50% of employees and retirees choose the health care opt out, approximately $26 billion in accrued health care liability would be saved, for a total combined liability savings of around $32 billion. If fewer opt out of health care, the pension savings would be greater. These are preliminary estimates calculated from the FY 2011 year ending actuarial valuation of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) for the State Employees Group Insurance Program and Teachers Retirement Insurance Program.
“This is all the more reason the House should pass SB 2404 without change or delay,” Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO.
Remember, this is only about the teachers’ pension fund. . Oops. Health savings are estimated for both State Employees Group Insurance Plan (SEGIP, covering SERS, SURS, GRS, JARS) and Teachers Retirement Insurance Plan (TRIP).
* As I told subscribers earlier today, the most pervasive rumor at the Statehouse is that the gay marriage bill will be called for a vote today. I’m not sure what to believe at this point. Here’s the Illinois Observer’s take…
A top Democrat told The Illinois Observer on Wednesday night, “The roll call is in the high 50s. It’s close; it’s almost there.” […]
Some pro-marriage equality activists, who have been chafing at the Illinois House’s inaction this spring while other states have swiftly approved their own same sex marriage bills, have grown increasingly frustrated with House Speaker Michael Madigan, arguing that he only needs to “twist some arms” to get to 60.
“Madigan is loathe to force a member to vote against his or her district and to anger a majority of his or her constituents,” said an insider. “That’s how expensive primary challenges are created, which waste money needed to beat Republicans in the fall.”
The insider also noted that a string of controversial votes taken during the spring legislative session could ignite multiple primary contests for Democrats next year.
“The pension vote and the conceal carry vote have already exposed multiple Democrats to potential primary challenges,” said the insider. “A risky same sex marriage vote will just expand the pool of Democratic incumbents staring at a primary fight.”
There’s no doubt that Chicago-area Democrats could be looking at primary challengers because of this year’s controversial session.
* Meanwhile, President Obama spoke about the gay marriage bill last night in Chicago…
America is probably more tolerant, more accepting of difference than any time in our history. Obviously, you’ve got an African American President, a former and soon to be again female Speaker of the House. The work that we did together to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” is something that I could not be prouder of. But we also know that there’s still a lot of people who are excluded in our society and we’ve got more work to do.
Here in Illinois, we’ve got a vote on same-sex marriage that’s going to be coming up in the state legislature. And I just want to say for the record it’s something that I deeply support. I wrestled with this for a long time and I am absolutely convinced it is the right thing to do. And we have to make sure that wherever we go, we are reminding people that the essence of America is that everybody is treated equally under the law without exception.
* Workers have been remodeling the western wing of the Statehouse since session ended two years ago. Large, wooden walls have blocked the view of the wing during the extensive reconstruction. Late yesterday, the 1st Floor wall came down and Statehouse denizens flocked to see the progress.
I took some pictures and posted them on our live session coverage post, but you may have missed them since it was so late in the day. The view is obstructed by the scaffolding, but click the pics for larger images…
* A few days ago, I told subscribers about the possibility that the Senate Democrats might hold a vote on the three smaller pension bills that passed the House back in March, rather than pass the bigger Madigan bill, SB!. Those three bills are now starting to move…
Thursday is shaping up as a pivotal day in the Senate on pensions, with Cullerton saying he intends to survey his 40-member caucus on Senate Bill 1 and other pension-reform options
One of those options may involve three obscure bills that the House passed in March and that quietly began moving in the state Senate Tuesday evening.
Legislation to hike the retirement age for employees under 45, cap “pensionable” salaries at Social Security wages and delay when retirees can get compounding, annual cost-of-living increases was discharged from the Senate Assignments Committee.
The House passed all three bills in March in a series of test votes on pensions to gauge support for a comprehensive pension-reform package. The three bills contain key pieces of what eventually got put into Senate Bill 1, which has faced a flurry of intense union opposition.
“All legislative options for a comprehensive plan are being considered,” Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon told the Chicago Sun-Times Wednesday.
Expect a vote on SB1 as well, but Cullerton expects that one to die.
* Meanwhile, I told subscribers a little bit about this earlier today. Sun-Times…
A House-passed plan that Speaker Michael Madigan has endorsed to fix Illinois’ nearly $100 billion crisis contains a flaw that could amount to a legislative stake-in-the-heart in the state Senate, the top Senate Democrat said Wednesday.
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said the legislation contains a provision that eventually could leave retired suburban and downstate teachers with less in benefits than they are legally entitled to if they qualified for Social Security benefits, potentially forcing teachers and the school districts that employ them to begin paying into Social Security.
* The We Are One report relies on the Teachers Retirement System’s actuarial analysis. From the union report…
Quotes from the TRS actuarial analysis and explanation follow:
“The Tier 1 employer normal cost is now negative.”
• During her media availability, Rep. Elaine Nekritz characterized this as a good development for school districts, saying “[t]here would be no shift” if a TRS cost-shift bill passed.
• This fails to recognize that TRS pensions would no longer qualify for a Social Security exemption. Far from paying nothing, under a TRS cost-shift, school districts would ultimately be on the hook to pay the employer’s portion (6.2%) of Social Security benefits.
• Once school districts are required to pay Social Security taxes, this will almost certainly necessitate massive property tax increases across the state.
• SB 1 would be the largest unfunded mandate imposed on school districts in history.
“The current proposal…creates a Social Security compliance issue for Tier 1 in addition to the existing issues for Tier 2.”
• SB 1 creates the same problem in Tier 1 as exists in Tier 2 – an inadequate pension benefit structure.
• Again, if SB 1 becomes law, school districts would eventually begin paying Social Security taxes because TRS pension benefits are too low to qualify for a Social Security exemption.
• It is likely that the same problems for TRS will also affect SURS.
“SB 1 provisions result in Tier 1 and Tier 2 members paying for more than the cost of their benefits.”
• The SB 1 pension cuts are so absurdly deep that workers would actually be paying more than what their pension benefit is worth.
• This is more than just completely unfair. It is immoral and illogical. SB 1 creates a pension system that actually penalizes its members. The bill slashes pensions so aggressively that employees would face a monetary loss by being part of the pension system.
• The bill goes to extremes to hurt working, middle-class families.
Thousands in Illinois Urge State Reps To Oppose SB 1715 on Statewide Day of Action Against Fracking
MoveOn Members in Illinois Launch Campaigns Urging State Legislators and Governor Pat Quinn to Support A Ban on Fracking
ILLINOIS - On Thursday, May 30th, MoveOn members from Illinois will be mobilizing as part of a statewide day of action against hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. Activists are urging their state legislators and Gov. Quinn to oppose SB 1715, unless a one-year moratorium and the creation of a task force to study the effects of fracking in the Illinois are added into the bill.
As of this writing, the statewide petition has a mere 1,436 signatures. The other online petitions listed in the full press release have a total of 485 signatures. So, they’ll probably break 2,000 by tomorrow. “Thousands” will be accurate, I suppose, but not truly descriptive.
*** UPDATE *** From MoveOn.org…
Hi Rich —
I just saw your piece referring to all the MoveOn members in Illinois who are starting and signing petitions on fracking.
Thanks for covering their activism. Just wanted to clarify one thing — there are currently 46 different petitions on the subject of fracking started by MoveOn members in Illinois, for a total number of 10,955 unique signatures on all of those petitions. As we noted in the advisory, 32 distinct House districts are targeted by these petitions.
* Meanwhile, large-scale fracking has apparently begun in southern Illinois before the regulations have kicked in…
(AP) — State records indicate that high-volume oil drilling already has begun in Illinois, where lawmakers and others are scrambling to pass a bill to establish regulations for a practice that has generated intense national debate as energy companies push into new territory.
Carmi-based Campbell Energy LLC submitted a well-completion report last year to the Department of Natural Resources voluntarily disclosing that it used 640,000 gallons of water during hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” of a well in White County. A regulatory bill awaiting a vote by state lawmakers — but not yet written at the time the well was drilled — defines “high-volume” as the use of 300,000 gallons or more of fluid during all stages of fracking. […]
Brad Richards, vice president of the Illinois Oil and Gas Association, said he wasn’t surprised to learn of the Campbell well but stressed that the company did nothing wrong. And although the volume of fluid it used was a lot compared with what has traditionally been used in Illinois — the typical “frack” has been 100,000 gallons or less — it pales in comparison to states like North Dakota and Pennsylvania, where it’s not unusual for drillers to use 2 million to 8 million gallons of fluid in a well, he said.
* Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe is a former state legislator. He surely knows from his experience that the best way to pass a bill which benefits Chicago is to also insert stuff for Downstate and suburban areas, and vice versa.
While it was unlikely that Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe’s idea would take shape before Friday’s end-of-session deadline, similar ethical concerns have been echoed in the governor’s office and came as final negotiations were in the works. The bill calls for casinos in Chicago, Danville, Rockford, Chicago’s south suburbs and Lake County, as well as numerous slot machines. It also sets aside revenues for certain groups.
Jaffe has publicly blasted the proposal - which remained in a House committee Tuesday - because it establishes a separate board to oversee a Chicago casino. He said giving that control to a board of mayoral appointees leaves the door open for corruption. He told The Associated Press that the bill is trying to do too much.
“It’s a Christmas tree bill,” Jaffe told the AP. “You have one political party that is in the governor’s mansion, controlling the Senate, controlling the House. You’re telling me they can’t pass one bill that will give the city of Chicago a casino? That blows my mind.”
* Rep. Bob Rita, the sponsor of the House gaming bill, held a press conference this morning to say basically the same thing I did at the top of this post. From BlueRoomStream.com’s Twitter feed…
Rep Rita says Gaming Board Chairman apparently wants Chicago out of the bill. Rita says that will kill the bill & won’t likely happen.
* I’m also told that one of the things Gov. Quinn and Chairman Jaffe are fighting for behind the scenes is giving the board approval power in case Chicago decides to sell its license. Right now, that approval power rests with the General Assembly.
* And this is from Rep. Rita’s spokesperson…
There is a dispute between the City of Chicago and the Cook County Board over whether some revenues from a Chicago casino should go to Cook County, or whether county revenues should only come from a south suburban casino. Rep. Rita wants that issue worked out in a compromise.
Notwithstanding these and many other steps and their major fiscal, economic, and human impact, the fiscal situation in Illinois continues to deteriorate. […]
The General Assembly finds that the fiscal crisis in the State of Illinois jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare of the people and compromises the ability to maintain a representative and orderly government.
It’s difficult to see evidence of that in this particular budget.
Both higher education and K-12 will be funded at essentially flat levels, compared to the current fiscal year. Human services would see cuts under the plan, but the outlook is not nearly as gloomy as it seemed just a few weeks ago. Sponsors of the various budget bills say that the situation would have been much bleaker if a windfall of $1.5 billion in unexpected revenues had not come in. “In April, there was a large surge because people sold a bunch of assets at the end of [Fiscal Year] ‘12 in anticipation of capital gains rate changes,” said Rep. Greg Harris, who sponsored the human services budget bill. […]
While Republicans blasted the spending in the proposal, Harris, who took over the human services budgeting committee this year, said this is the first budget in recent years that will fully fund human services. “We’ve made cuts across the board but we’ve retained funding in core community services such as mental health, substance abuse, homelessness programs,” he said. This year and several other times in recent history, human services agencies have had to come back to the General Assembly midway through the fiscal year and ask for more money to avoid the shutdown of programs. “In other years, they’ve not appropriated for a full year, and they’ve always come back for [supplemental spending bills]. … We wanted to pass something that was fully reflective of the realities of each department’s need,” he said. “I would say woe betide the department that comes back to us with a supplemental [request] this year.”
The budget does not explicitly include the raises promised to state union workers in a new contract. But personnel costs are provided in lump sums, and each agency is left to figure out how to work in the raises. “What we accounted for was their FY 14 raises, and they way we did that was to give our departments maximum flexibility.” […]
Some of the unexpected revenue would be used to immediately pay down nearly $600 million in old human services bills. Harris said many of those payments would be eligible for federal matching funds under Medicaid. Some of the additional revenues were incorporated to the revenue estimate for next fiscal year and will be used to defer cuts to education and corrections.
Quinn’s budget office said it does not believe the spending plan approved by House Democrats will result in layoffs at state agencies. However, several agency directors said they will not be able to fill vacancies. […]
Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, chairman of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, said larger human services agencies will see about a 2.5 percent reduction in the amount allocated for their operations. Richard Calica, director of the Department of Children and Family Services, said his agency is looking at about a $7 million cut in staffing expenses, which will result in the department not filling vacancies. […]
Harris, though, said the budgets for human services agencies will maintain funding for mental health, substance abuse, community child care and homelessness-prevention services. Money for rape-victim assistance lost because of the federal sequester will be restored. Funding is also provided to the Department of Public Health to implement the medical marijuana program.
The Department of Corrections budget was also given a lump sum that agency officials could use as they see fit. Republicans argued that was giving Quinn and his agency directors too much leeway.
Republicans wanted to hold the line on spending and use some of the additional April revenue to help pay down the state’s mountain of old bills. They said Democrats should not count on the one-time April money to build the budget, especially when a temporary income tax is set to expire next year.
“We’re on the brink of financial collapse,” said Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill.
One major issue that appears headed toward resolution between lawmakers and Quinn was the issue of back pay for members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for the current and previous budget years. The $140 million was part of the union’s lengthy and often confrontational bargaining with the Quinn administration over a new contract.
But if union workers are to get contractually mandated raises in the upcoming budget year, state agencies will have to carefully manage the money they get.
In other budget developments, House Democrats approved an $844 million supplemental spending measure, largely to cover bills through the June 30 end of the budget year. Supporters said the measure would fund the payroll of state prison workers and allow the state to capture federal money and pay down past-due bills.
Harris is quick to point out the state will spend a little less of its own money next year, but will spend “hundreds of millions more” in federal dollars.
Bellock’s arithmetic differs. She said Illinois will spend anywhere between $45 million and $85 million more on human services this year. Much of that new spending will go to state workers.
To be clear on the AFSMCE contract issue- Gov’s guy said they will need $140 million over and above the dem’s proposed budget to fund this and that they would have to come back and ask for more $ to pay it before they would.
* Carol Marin’s column today attempts to convince Bill Daley to run for governor...
If Illinois Democrats are determined to march into a bloody primary war with their own incumbent governor, Pat Quinn, better to do it in Braveheart fashion. Because trying to dump your own guy who topped your own ticket, regardless of his current public unpopularity, will require energy, focus, and, most of all, passion.
Um, that Braveheart guy died at the end of the movie. Daley seems to understand this. Check out his quotes…
“The question is, at this stage is it a Don Quixote thing?” Daley asked rhetorically by phone on Friday. […]
But again he asks rhetorically, “How do you, in a practical way, pull it off?”
Especially when more women than men vote in the Democratic primary.
“Two men and a woman, we’ve seen that movie before,” he said.
I think he’s right to be cautious here. The polls aren’t in his favor in a three-way race.
But, Carol is right on one thing. If you want the office, then go for it and stop with the Hamlet act.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the fire in the belly, it’s best not to run. Do those quotes show any real fire? Not seeing it.
* Meanwhile, Crain’s published an op-ed today that purports to show how Illinois Republicans can take the state back. I don’t disagree with the conclusion, but the premise that it’s all about Downstate turnout and little to nothing about ideology is fatally flawed…
Had the downstate turnout just matched the collar county average turnout rate of 51.4 percent, Mr. Brady most likely would have defeated Mr. Quinn instead losing to him by a mere 46 percent-46.8 percent.
The trouble with this analysis is that it focuses solely on the importance of generic Downstate turnout and ignores the fact that three moderate Republicans won statewide in 2010: Mark Kirk for US Senate, Judy Baar Topinka for comptroller and Dan Rutherford for treasurer.
* The piece also ignores something that it trumpets…
As most Illinois residents know, the Democrats’ stronghold is Cook County, while Republicans populate most of the rest of the state. There is a persistent myth among voters in Illinois that Cook County’s vote determines who wins statewide elections because of its population numbers. But the truth is only 40.5 percent of Illinois’ population resides in Cook County. The collar counties — DuPage, Lake, Kane and Will — make up another 21.5 percent of the state’s population, while the rest of its residents (38 percent) live outside the five counties. So, while the rest of the state (predominantly Republican) almost ties Cook County’s population (predominantly Democrat), it’s the collar counties that usually determine who wins and loses elections in the Prairie State.
You don’t do well in many of the collars by running hard to the right. Suburban women may be more conservative, but they’re not generally that conservative. And they also tend to be independents who are willing to take a Democratic ballot if the Republican alienates them.
* Yes, the Republicans absolutely need a much better turnout game. But they also need better candidates and a non-divisive general election message.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford has joined the four other House Black Caucus members who publicly support same-sex marriage legislation, with the measure’s fate uncertain as a Friday deadline looms.
As you know, Ford (D-Chicago) was indicted by the feds for bank fraud. The charges seem a bit iffy and he was accompanied to the federal courts building by a large number of ministers from his district.
Many of those very same ministers oppose gay marriage, so Ford has been in a very tough spot. He could stand with the ministers on gay marriage, or break with them and risk not having that community support as his trial commences next April, after the Democratic primary.
“I think it’ll probably get 63 or 64 [votes],” he said. “Greg Harris is a smart legislator and he understands - he counts the numbers. And he measures twice and cuts once. So, he’s going to be ready.”
I know of several other House members who want to vote for gay marriage but are afraid of a voter backlash. Ford ought to be an example for them.
* Ben Yount has a very good roundup of videos from yesterday’s Senate Executive Committee hearing to show how despite the failure of the House’s bill, concealed carry backers have pretty much won the Springfield debate. For instance…
The debate is now about where you will be able to carry a gun, not if you will be able to carry a gun. Sen. President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has been one of the biggest gun controllers in Illinois. Even he is signaling support for a concealed carry law.
Cullerton is now saying he supports state preemption of local concealed carry ordinances - a position that would’ve been unthinkable last year, or even last month, for that matter. Watch…
No one wants to go past the June 9 deadline anymore. State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, acknowledges that Illinois is going to have to meet the federal court deadline on concealed carry.
The two plans still on the table are very similar on concealed carry. Sen. Harmon and state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, say the only difference between the plans is legal language for other gun laws.
Concealed carry is no longer an issue that pits farmers against city folk. Guns have always been a regional issue, but suburban GOP Leader Christine Radogno said her district is evolving on the issue.
* As I’ve pointed out before, former attorney general Ty Fahner and his Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago have been all over the place on pension reform.
This, for instance, is from a statement Fahner issued back in February…
The Civic Committee opposes Senate Bill 1 (SB1) for a number of reasons, described below.
Sending two alternative pieces of legislation in one bill makes no sense. On appeal, it would confuse the legislative record and intent, invite the Court to take on the Legislature’s role and it would only further delay the implementation of reforms. In addition, the bill as currently drafted presumes that Part A is unconstitutional. It also presumes Part B is constitutional and without flaws of its own.
Part A:
Any serious pension reform proposal should reduce the unfunded pension liability by $30 Billion or more (with additional substantial reductions in the retiree health care liability to be pursued later). Because of changes incorporated in this bill, it is no longer apparent that it meets this standard. [Emphasis added.]
Tell your legislators to support SB1 as it will generate the cost savings necessary to help move our state forward and on its way to good financial health.
SB1, which generates real and significant savings for Illinois, recently passed the House with bipartisan support. Other proposed bills, like SB2404, simply do not go far enough, leaving Illinois with a substantial pension burden.
* But yesterday, Rep. Elaine Nekrtiz released the actuarial data for Speaker Madigan’s pension reform bill. The totals…
$21 billion off unfunded liability
$187 billion off total payments
$1.9 billion off first-year payment
One wonders if Fahner will oppose the Madigan plan, now that it comes up $9 billion short of Fahner’s demand.
Downstate school districts could escape increased pension expenses under a proposed cost shift if a House pension reform plan is approved, lawmakers said Tuesday.
Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, said benefit changes and higher employee contributions contained in the House plan would cover downstate teacher pension costs going forward. It’s those future pension costs that House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, wants to shift away from the state and onto local school districts.
“The employer (ongoing) cost would be zero,” Nekritz said. “I think that will be part of the discussion on cost-shift going forward.”
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Renewables Save Hundreds of Millions for Ratepayers
The Illinois Power Agency recently issued its 2013 report on the costs and benefits of renewable energy in Illinois. It found “a savings of $176.85 million” in total payments for electricity generation in both 2011 and 2012.
SB 103 Would Save Ratepayers $281 Million MORE Between 2014-2017
According to an analysis verified by both the ICC and IPA, SB 103’s unified competitive procurement approach would save Illinois ratepayers an additional $281 million between 2014 and 2017.
87% of Illinois Voters Support Renewables
A Clean Energy Trust/Zogby poll of 700 likely voters earlier this month found 86.7% of likely Illinois voters support “policies to bring renewable energy to Illinois.” 77% support SB 103.
Unintended Conflict Has Broken Down the Law
As reported in the Chicago Tribune (“Energy Fund Lacks Power”, May 13, 2013) and Crain’s Chicago Business(“A Mighty Wind Problem”, April 8, 2013), the RPS law has broken down because of an unforeseen conflict with the municipal aggregation tidal wave.
A No-Cost Fix
SB 103 contains a simple solution to resolve this problem that preserves rate caps and increases efficiency.
The measure’s backers include the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the Puppy Mill Project and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, but several kennel clubs across the state oppose the idea.
Under the plan - which would not apply to breeders or shelters - consumers who purchase an ill or diseased cat or dog from a pet store would have three options: get a new pet, get a full refund or have the store pay for veterinarian treatment.
A licensed veterinarian would have to deem the pet unfit for purchase within 21 days of the sale date, and only pet’s with certain conditions, not including hereditary or congenital diseases, would qualify. Zalewski said 17 other states have similar laws. […]
Illinois now requires pet stores to provide information about a pet’s health history but gives consumers no remedy if they unknowingly buy an ill animal. […]
“We have bills of great importance,” Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) said. “Now, I want to let you know how important this is. The office of the governor has come in as a proponent for this. [He] can’t stand up for any other thing we’re doing around here, but the puppy lemon law. You talk about somebody riding issues to the hilt. That’s ridiculous.”
* On a related note, Oscar the Puppy took his first pontoon boat ride several days ago. He loved it…
* He really needs a haircut, but so do I. We’ll get it done after session…
* Lately, Oscar has taken to tugging on his leash. Gotta break him of that habit…
* One more…
Oscar is always positive, happy and fun-loving. He’s just a great puppy.
* Rep. Elaine Nekrtiz released actuarial data for Speaker Madigan’s pension reform bill today. The grand totals…
$21 billion off unfunded liability
$187 billion off total payments
$1.9 billion off first-year payment
From her spokesperson…
We have said from the outset that pensions present a real math-based problem, and any reform must be driven by the math. These numbers prove that Senate Bill 1 is the clear winner in the criteria needed for a real, comprehensive solution to this complex problem. It acknowledges the problem is very real and very significant, and will require an equally significant solution. It provides a solution with certainty — there is no wiggle room in these numbers, and no ranges of savings from scenarios that bring unpredictability into play. And it provides a solution that is clearly sufficient to address the problem while preserving benefits earned by workers and retirees and protecting taxpayers and those who depend on vital state services and programs.
* The Question: Should the Senate pass the House’s pension reform bill? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
* Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) is my new hero. He sent me this e-mail today…
Dear Rich,
You indicated that you would like to have a “before” and “after” picture of my weight loss efforts, which I have enclosed. The “before” or heavy picture, was at the start of my weight loss journey in December of 2011, and the “after” or lighter picture was taken in January 2013, when I reached my personal goal of losing 100 lbs. I have been able to maintain my new reduced weight since January of 2013.
You also asked me to explain how I was able to lose the weight. In order to reach my goal of losing at least 100 lbs., I consulted with my family doctor and developed my own plan which was to have a target goal of approximately 1,500 calories per day, but never more than 2,000 calories per day. In addition, I wear a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps per day, which is about three miles.
There are also many very good, healthy, low-calorie snack items that have been helpful to me. These include products or snack bars made by The Quaker Oats Company, Kellogg’s and Nature Valley, to name a few. The important thing for me was to keep track of my total daily calorie intake with the goal of being between 1,500 and 2,000.
Also, “fast food” does not necessarily mean “fat food” since some restaurants do an outstanding job of listing calories on their menu boards. I frequently eat at McDonalds and stay within my calorie goal. I also eat healthy snacks like baby carrots, fruits, vegetables and peanuts, but always watch my total daily calorie intake.
Losing 100 lbs. in about one year has not been an easy journey, but it has been a worthwhile one. If I can do it, then I know anyone can do it! At my heaviest weight, I was on medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol and would have probably soon needed medication for diabetes. Now I am being phased off of all medications. In addition, I no longer have sleep apnea.
I have been talking with Senator Martin Sandoval and with lobbyist Betsy Mitchell, who have both been very successful in their recent weight loss efforts. The three of us are exploring the possibility of starting a new caucus next spring to encourage a healthier life style for all of us serving in Springfield.
Sincerely,
Don Moffitt
State Representative
74th District
As everyone at the Statehouse knows, Rep. Moffitt looks great. I’m gonna have to join that new caucus.
* The federal government will pick up 100 percent of this program for the first three years and then 90 percent after that…
After nearly three hours of debate, the House approved a key part of President Barack Obama’s health care law. The proposed Medicaid expansion would cover low-income adults who don’t have children at home, and up to 500,000 uninsured Illinoisans would be newly eligible for coverage. Under the multifaceted measure, 342,000 people are expected to enroll by 2017.
“This is the cornerstone of our president’s agenda. Many of us have been waiting for this moment,” said Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat and bill sponsor. She tamped down questions from Republicans over timing by saying those who need care can’t wait another day.
The Republicans have been arguing for delay for a very long time. Last year, House GOP Leader Tom Cross urged the House to wait until after the presidential election, to see if Obamacare would survive. Obama won, but yesterday they came up with more reasons, including waiting until after the debt ceiling talks in September - as if Obama would negotiate away his signature achievement.
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), who voted for the plan, said it would result in a financial windfall for Illinois because of an influx of $5.7 billion in federally-reimbursed Medicaid expenditures in Illinois, including for 48,000 veterans who would be newly covered under Monday’s expansion.
“The real point of this bill isn’t dollars and cents, although we make out like bandits if we pass Senate Bill 26,” Currie said. “The real point of Senate Bill 26 is to make for healthier Illinoisans.”
Sponsoring Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, argued the plan would allow 342,000 poor adults to be eligible for the state-federal Medicaid health care plan who have long been denied coverage because they had no children.
Monday’s roll call included seven Democratic “no” votes. They included Reps. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) Martin Moylan (D-Des Plaines), Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach), Katherine Cloonen (D-Kankakee) and Sue Scherer (D-Decatur).
All targets, or, at least, people who believe they’re targets. And I cannot see how Rep. Franks thinks he can run in a Democratic statewide primary after voting against Obamacare.
As Illinois’ Legislature heads into the final weeks of the spring session, the business community is acutely aware of the serious decisions lawmakers must make to restore security to the state’s economic future. While it may seem counterintuitive to argue in favor of expanding Illinois’ Medicaid program to serve single, childless adults at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, our organizations believe expansion is an important part of a very complex equation in alleviating overall costs on employers in the short and long term (”Not enough doctors in Medicaid, state director says,” ChicagoBusiness.com, April 10). That’s why we urge the General Assembly to approve Senate Bill 26.
Illinois stands to gain more than $12 billion in federal funding under the expansion over the next seven years, but not without incurring some additional costs—albeit a fraction of the funding gained.
Beginning in 2014, all employers with 50 or more employees must offer full-time employees and their dependents coverage that meets minimum criteria outlined under the federal health reform law. Failure to do so will result in a penalty if an employee obtains subsidized coverage on the insurance marketplace-exchange, but no penalty is assessed if the employee enrolls in Medicaid. According to a recent Jackson Hewitt study, without Medicaid expansion, Illinois employers would face up to $106 million more in penalties assessed annually. For employers in the nonprofit sector—many of which serve the Medicaid population and support low-wage staff—the added financial penalties could mean drastic cuts in services or even shuttered doors.
We ask lawmakers to support SB 26 to expand Medicaid in Illinois to protect employers from even higher short-term costs and employees from missed coverage opportunities, and to provide additional certainty in planning for 2014.
* Other important stuff…
* Illinois House committee approves $9B human services budget: Rep. Greg Harris is chairman of the committee. The Chicago Democrat says the state is able to use unanticipated revenues to make payments that qualify for federal matching dollars. Those federal funds will lead to an overall increase in the state’s human services budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Larger agencies still will face cuts of about 2.5 percent in their operations budgets.
* Recommended Illinois education budget $6.6B: Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood is the chairman of the committee. He says the budget will fund schools at 89 percent of the amount recommended by a state commission. The proposed funding level averts schools from cuts in general state aid for the first time in at least four years. Davis says the funding for school transportation, early childhood education and bilingual education will remain the same as the current fiscal year.
* Tax hangup stalls bill to expand gambling: Rita said negotiations are centered around both the rates that are paid and when they will go into effect. He acknowledged that in some cases, the negotiations could lead to lower taxes for some casinos. Rita also said discussions are taking place about earmarking some of the gambling revenue for specific purposes. The expansion bill, which was previously approved by the Senate, calls for some money to be allocated to economic development programs in black and Latino areas and for specific agriculture programs like extension services and to repair the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The amounts of those various earmarks are under discussion.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
A recent telephone survey to Peoples Gas, Ameren and Nicor customers who are Illinois voters age 18+ found:
• The overwhelming majority (71%) of Illinoisans oppose the state’s leading natural gas companies’ proposal to raise customer rates for extra infrastructure and non-infrastructure improvements beyond what is required by law.
• Further, Illinois natural gas customers do not believe their state officials are doing enough to lower the cost of their natural gas bills (61%).
• And, along with electric utility customers, they do not believe their interests are represented and taken into consideration when rate increases are proposed (60%).
AARP urges Legislators to represent their constituents
Vote NO on SB2266 (Natural Gas Rate Increase Surcharge)
First lady Michelle Obama will make a visit to Manhattan’s Park Ave. on May 29 for an exclusive LGBT reception, headlined by singer Sara Bareilles and NBA star Jason Collins, to benefit the Democratic National Committee.
Tickets to the 5 p.m. event, which is being hosted by the LGBT Leadership Council, are scaled from $32,400 to $1,250 apiece. Bareilles is expected to perform her new song “Brave” (from the forthcoming album The Blessed Unrest) which has become an anthem for gays struggling with coming out.
So, she can attend a swank LBGT event but not get involved in helping to pass a gay marriage bill in her home state?
No offense to the First Lady, but priorities, please.
* Then again, as a gay marriage lobster told me yesterday, a few stern words to recalcitrant members from Speaker Madigan might do a whole lot more to pass the bill than any phone call from FLOTUS.
* I’m not so sure that this “compromise” concealed carry bill is gonna be all it’s cracked up to be…
The House has already passed a bill, and the Senate may yet take it up. But State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) says he is working on another compromise which, he says, combines the best of the House bill and a stalled Senate bill.
“There were some good things from my perspective in the House bill, that was not in my bill. So I will add those,” Raoul said.
Raoul said he would take out language allowing police to object to a concealed-carry applicant based on “moral character” and add a House provision listing places where no weapons would be allowed.
Though Senate President John Cullerton does not like the House bill, he says “We’re gonna send both bills to Executive Committee and see what happens.”
The new amendment has surfaced and can be read by clicking here. Tell us what you see in comments.
Keep a close eye on our live coverage post for all updates. Live BlueRoomStream.com video will be here. Senate Exec convenes at 10:50 this morning.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The 2013 Natural Gas Consumer, Safety and Reliability Act (Senate Bill 2266, HAM #3) passed yesterday by 84-32 in the Illinois House and now awaits the Senate’s vote.
If enacted into law, this legislation will bring the Illinois regulatory system into the 21st century. This bill will provide a cost-recovery mechanism that will allow for gas utilities to recoup investments made to upgrade and improve Illinois’ natural gas distribution system.
These improvements and enhancements will make natural gas delivery safer, quicker and more reliable. This will benefit Illinois consumers and improve our state’s economy. It will be better for the environment, and it will create jobs.
With natural gas prices at near historic lows, we need to focus on replacing these outdated mains and modernizing our aging gas infrastructure. Illinois’ natural gas utilities need a legislative solution to have the continued confidence to invest and provide customers with the safe and reliable service they expect.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The satellite television industry serves a crucial role in connecting Illinois to the rest of the world with content that informs, entertains and educates – in many instances it’s the exclusive broadcast service provider available to Illinois homes. In addition, the satellite TV industry is an important economic driver creating hundreds of jobs in our state.
Facts About Satellite TV in Illinois:
• Serves 1.3 million households in Illinois (almost a third of homes that subscribe choose satellite)
• Employs over 790 people, plus more than 1,000 technicians at 481 local retailers
• Rural Illinois depends on satellite TV since cable does not often provide service to their area
• Satellite TV offers a wider range of foreign language programming in comparison to cable
Lawmakers continue to be prodded by the cable TV industry to place a NEW 5% monthly tax on satellite TV service. Previous versions of this discriminatory tax proposal have been defeated in Springfield—and similar bills are regularly defeated in other states including three times in neighboring Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota. This revenue generator needs to be clearly labeled what it is: An unfair tax increase on the 1.3 million Illinois families and businesses who subscribe to satellite TV.
* I’m pretty sure that if we let legislators vote on who is the most obnoxious and goofy freshman, Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) would win hands down.
Yesterday, the House took up SB 1872 as amended. The bill, which would eliminate the felony prostitution penalty, is being pushed by groups like Protestants for the Common Good…
Illinois’ felony punishment for a second prostitution offense is an expensive, ineffective use of diminishing local and state public safety resources. Illinois’ Department of Corrections reported 127 felony prostitution admissions for 2012, costing the state $2,011,680.
Felony prostitution unfairly targets women for harsher punishments. The “solicitation” offense for customers does not have a felony upgrade for subsequent offenses. In 2011, when law enforcement charged under the state criminal code, there were 1,875 arrests for prostitution and 95 arrests for solicitation.
Felony prostitution sentencing is rare in the United States – only seven other states have a felony prostitution sentencing option for subsequent offenses.
* No law enforcement or prosecutorial opposition ever surfaced. The bill passed the Senate 53-1.
* But Rep. Drury, who never stops reminding people that he is a former federal prosecutor, began by asking the sponsor, Rep. Mike Zalewski: “I mean, you know that I’m a former federal prosecutor, right?”
Drury then said that he worked on prostitution cases, claimed he rarely speaks of his former job (when he does it all the time) and actually charged that the measure “is a pro child prostitution bill.” Listen…
Drury’s remarks created a huge uproar in the chamber, with Republicans rushing to the Democratic sponsor’s defense and a fellow Democrat rising to ask Zalewski if he knew that she was “not a former federal prosecutor.”
Heh.
* Drury demanded that everyone vote against the bill, but it passed the House with 82 votes, mainly with “targets” voting against it. Proponents said that Drury’s comments likely added 18 votes to the roll call.
Sheesh.
* Runner-up might go to Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton). Last week, Ives spoke against a bill to waive collegiate requirements for certain military veterans applying to become state police officers “notwithstanding any Department of State Police Merit Board rule to the contrary.” The bill passed 109-1.
* Yesterday, Rep. Ives rose to speak about Memorial Day…
“I’d like to just simply add to the others’ remarks by thanking all the veterans’ groups and the individuals and the old soldiers who come out this day and pull out the faded Confederate uniform and plan for the ceremony and prepare remarks and actually hold something so dear to us as a rememberance of those who died.”
This is a Republican legislator speaking in the Illinois House, a body in which Abraham Lincoln once served, and she’s talking about the Confederacy?
As one of Ives’ fellow House Republicans cracked last night, “Will southern DuPage rise again?”
* Rep. Ives was approached on the floor by at least one fellow member who pointed out the Lincoln portrait on the wall and rose later to “clarify” her remarks…
“I inadvertently used the term ‘Confederate’ when I meant to include those who wear the ceremonial Union uniform as well.”
* I lost a tree in yesterday’s very powerful storms…
I hate losing trees, but, thankfully, nobody was hurt. My wind sculpture was also roached, but I think it can be fixed. A neighbor wasn’t so lucky. One of his trees fell onto his house.
Gov. Pat Quinn has loved to hold Sunday news conferences for decades. He discovered a long time ago that Sunday was usually a slow news day, so a news conference pretty much guaranteed coverage in Monday’s newspapers.
The problem, though, is that newspapers and other media outlets tend to send younger, less experienced reporters to Sunday events. And sometimes those reporters miss something that others might catch.
For instance, two Sundays ago, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said something pretty important that was completely ignored by the media.
Cullerton appeared that Sunday with Quinn, state Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) and parents of the Newtown, Conn., school massacre victims to tout a ban on high-capacity gun magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds. Cullerton highlighted his anti-gun bonafides during his opening remarks.
“I’m very proud of the fact that Illinois has been the only state in the nation that doesn’t allow for concealed guns to be carried in public,” he said.
But that wasn’t the news. Throughout his long political career, Cullerton has been a staunch opponent of the National Rifle Association. He doesn’t like guns at all. Nothing to see there. Move along.
So what was the big news that was missed?
“In the case of concealed carry, some say we have to pass a bill,” Cullerton told Chicago reporters.
“The fact of the matter is, if we don’t pass a bill in Springfield, the city of Chicago, county of Cook, 208 home-rule units can pass their own legislation. So, while we should pass a sensible bill to regulate it (concealed carry) statewide, if we don’t it’s not the end of the world.”
It was the clearest statement yet from Cullerton that not passing a concealed-carry bill might be the best way to go.
As you know, a federal appeals court has given Illinois until June 9 to pass a state law allowing concealed carry. If not, Illinois’ current law will be struck down.
At first, liberals were being stampeded into passing new legislation. But Chicago’s mayor and his legislative allies have lately made it quietly known that not passing a bill might not be so bad. Chicago could pass a much stricter proposal than anything that could ever get through the General Assembly.
The statement was also somewhat of a cover for Cullerton’s inability to move a concealed-carry bill out of the Senate a few days before. Top sources said two of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s strongest Senate allies flipped from supporting Cullerton’s bill to opposing it.
The sponsor, state Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and Cullerton both blamed the NRA. But it was Madigan (D-Chicago) who actually killed it.
Why? Madigan did not want the Senate bill to pass because he believed it would undermine support for the House bill among liberals and Chicagoans. He also believed that the Senate’s far more restrictive bill could not pass the House, so killing that measure was a way to avoid gridlock.
After Madigan passed a concealed-carry bill through the House on Friday, Cullerton said he could see ways to compromise, but he also blasted parts of the House bill as “offensive” and said he was “violently opposed” to them. The main thing Cullerton objected to was a provision that would kill off all local gun control ordinances, including Chicago’s assault weapons ban.
So, if Madigan’s radical local pre-emption language on all gun ordinances were removed, the rest of the bill would be a whole lot more acceptable. Offering up a completely unacceptable and even outrageous demand to get the other side to accept some things they might not otherwise is a pretty standard legislative negotiating tactic.
And if they can’t come to an agreement? Well, Cullerton has said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if nothing happens and the state law is struck down. If he’s telling the truth, it gives him a pretty good negotiating stance.
* Via IR, Sen. Dick Durbin talks about the 1st Amendment and a media shield law…
“But here is the bottom line — the media shield law, which I am prepared to support, and I know Sen. Graham supports, still leaves an unanswered question, which I have raised many times: What is a journalist today in 2013? We know it’s someone that works for Fox or AP, but does it include a blogger? Does it include someone who is tweeting? Are these people journalists and entitled to constitutional protection? We need to ask 21st century questions about a provision that was written over 200 years ago.”
Durbin has tried to use this media shield issue as a not so back door way of defining who is and who is not a journalist. The federal government should not be in this business. The people we are covering should not have that sort of control over us. That “unanswered question” Durbin frets about so much ought to be up to the people themselves.
Buried more than 400 pages into the 524-page gambling expansion bill that would bring a casino to Chicago are directions for splitting some of the state’s take to create new ways to pay for the pork-barrel projects politicians covet.
Money from the new casinos and slot machines at horse racing tracks would be steered to a new “depressed communities economic development fund,” a “Latino community economic development fund,” grants to the State Fairgrounds and county fairs, funding for equine research, soil and water conservation, cooperative extension services and an annual grant to the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Other provisions in the bill allow several suburbs to split the local share of the new gambling take, guaranteeing that nearby cities and villages will collect cash even if they aren’t the coveted winners of a new casino or have a horse track within their borders.
All told, some legislative estimates show about $250 million in annual revenues will be diverted from the state in what’s shaping up to be a conga line of earmarks. At once, the promise of spreading a new influx of money to interest groups is both a powerful tool to win more votes for gambling expansion and a new way to dispense pork projects after state tax dollars dried up significantly because of Illinois’ dire budget problems.
Actually, $250 million won’t be “diverted from the state.” The vast majority of that cash, $210 million, is for local communities which host the new casinos and racinos, and that money is further divvied up for regional revenue sharing. That’s pretty standard stuff.
* Related…
* Gaming bill undergoes changes: Also Sunday, the House approved a bill to return advance deposit wagering to the state. Illinois had a law on the books that provided for advance deposit wagering, but it expired before lawmakers renewed it. Under advance deposit wagering, bettors can wager on horse races online using money from special accounts they have established.
* Illinois House Re-Authorizes Online Horse Betting: A few lawmakers worried that the horsemen are being coerced — they are only receiving a fraction of the $109 million in the horse-racing fund. But Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, says that is not the case.
* Some Illinois jobless face benefit cuts: Thousands of out-of-work Illinoisans will see a nearly 17 percent cut in their jobless benefits beginning in early June. The cuts are the latest fallout from automatic federal budget cuts that went into effect earlier this year.
* Cross: Medicaid not getting the scrutiny it needs
* For some reason,. there’s nothing on the governor’s weekend schedule about meeting with lawmakers…
GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC SCHEDULE
**Saturday, May 25, 2013**
DES PLAINES – In remembrance of Illinois servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom, Governor Pat Quinn will unveil the Portrait of a Soldier memorial exhibit.
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Des Plaines Oasis
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
Milepost 74.5
Des Plaines, 60016
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn will join city, state and national leaders to honor Gold Star families and the brave men and women that have given their lives for our country.
WHEN: 11 a.m.
WHERE: Daley Plaza
Outside the Picasso Statue
Chicago, 60602
**Sunday, May 26, 2013**
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Pat Quinn will address and cheer on runners at the Got Freedom Run.
WHEN: 7:45 a.m.
WHERE: Miner School
1101 East Miner
Arlington Heights, 60004
CHICAGO – As part of his agenda to support our Veterans and servicemembers, Governor Pat Quinn will announce a major investment to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for returning Veterans and their families.
WHEN: 12 p.m.
WHERE: Former Army Reservist Janelle Hamilton’s Home
3809 West 83rd Street
Chicago, 60652
**Monday, May 27, 2013**
PARK RIDGE – Governor Pat Quinn will march in the annual Park Ridge Memorial Day parade.
WHEN: 10 a.m.
WHERE: Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade
Steps off at Talcott Road and Cumblerland Avenue
Park Ridge, 60068
CHICAGO – In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Quinn will bring Challenger the bald eagle to soar above U.S. Cellular Field and raise awareness for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.
WHEN: 5:20 p.m.
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field
333 West 35th Street
Chicago, 60616
ADDITIONAL: There will be no additional press availability following this event.
* I’m finding it difficult to work up much excitement about the Crosstown Classic this year. The biggest reason, I suppose, is that I’m stuck in session during the series. But even if I was in Chicago this week, I probably wouldn’t be feeling it.
Yes, the White Sox are on a roll of late. After an absolutely miserable start, we finally got our first sweep of the season and are now just four games out of first place in the AL Central. But, man, those first two months really took a toll on my baseball soul.
Maybe I’m not my usual self because the Flubs are so exceptionally horrible these days. 19-30? Words fail me. Perhaps y’all should send your entire team down to AAA. And I don’t mean just the players. I mean the entire team, rickety stadium and all. Do us all a favor and secede from the National League. Move to Rosemont. Heck, move to Peoria, for all I care.
* Anyway, go Sox, Cubs suck, etc. Let’s at least go through the motions.
