* The Illinois Policy Institute’s news service was in a bit of a lather about the bill earlier today…
More than half of the nation’s states have enacted laws barring forced unionization. In Illinois, lawmakers are primed to make enacting local right-to-work laws a criminal offense with up to a year in jail for the local politicians doing so.
A right-to-work law allows an employee to refuse union membership and still be employed. It’s proven to be a lightning rod on both sides of issues surrounding organized labor. Twenty-eight states have adopted right-to-work laws.
Under Senate Bill 1905, any local official in Illinois enacting right-to-work laws could potentially be charged with a class A misdemeanor. That’s a penalty often given to prostitutes, burglars, and drunk drivers and means up to a year in prison. It’s one step below a felony.
Laurie Reynolds, Prentice H. Marshall Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois College of Law, said taking a step to criminalize state-local disagreements warps the nature of local democracy.
“I have to think that a state court in Illinois would invalidate this as an abuse of state legislative power,” she said. “This is really beyond the pale.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement following the Senate vote on SB 1905:
“Today’s vote could create a damaging loss for the economic competitiveness of Illinois.
Senate Bill 1905 would hurt all the people of our state through lost job opportunities, slower economic growth, a smaller statewide tax base and ultimately higher taxes in the future.
This vote denies local communities – cities and counties – the ability to decide for themselves how they would like to structure their regulations to compete for jobs with other states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Texas.
SB 1905 could be particularly devastating for communities in Illinois with high unemployment – Dolton, Danville, Decatur, Rockford, Englewood and Lawndale.
We urge the House of Representative to uphold the veto and give Illinois a chance to empower local voters to compete for jobs in high need areas throughout the state.”
* Related…
* More Rauner, Democrat showdowns on tap during veto session: Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s legislation to create a “bill of rights” for student-loan recipients is up for override, as is a measure from Democratic Treasurer Michael Frerichs to make it easier to collect life insurance benefits when a beneficiary dies.
* More GOP lawmakers split from Rauner on Debt Transparency Act: State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said he initially thought HB 3649 was an attempt by Mendoza to handcuff Rauner during an election year. “But that being said, transparency is very important,” Butler said. “These bills should be reported on time. Whether or not it’s a monthly basis, or whatever, I think that’s the question.” Butler initially voted against it, but said he said he’s reconsidering that headed into a possible vote to override.
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:
“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace. For a number of years, every member of the House has been required to certify that they develop and enforce a sexual harassment policy for their offices and staff. They will continue to do so. However, we can and should do more to ensure no individual is the target of sexual harassment in the Capitol or anywhere else.
“Because harassment thrives in silence, we are continually working to eliminate all forms of harassment from our Statehouse and our legislative offices. With this in mind, we will be advancing legislation that will require everyone—from legislators, to staff, to lobbyists—to complete yearly comprehensive sexual harassment training. We will also be requiring lobbyists develop and submit their own sexual harassment policies, just as legislators currently do.
“I have directed staff to conduct a thorough review of all existing policies related to this issue and to continue identifying further changes that can and should be made.”
This is moving a lot faster than some may have expected.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady’s office…
Leader Brady would be happy to co-sponsor this bill when it comes to the Senate.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s office…
Leader Durkin believes that harassment of any sort is unacceptable in the House Republican caucus and staff. He fully supports this proposal.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…
Thanks to a group of courageous women who gave voice to the experiences of countless women who work in Springfield, legislators are working to make our Statehouse a safe, respectful place for professionals to have the freedom to do their jobs.
During my tenure as Chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the university adopted sexual harassment training for university employees and board members. As governor, I would absolutely sign a law requiring legislators, staff and lobbyists to go through sexual harassment training. In addition, I would require Illinois businesses, small and large, to provide sexual harassment training to employees, similar to measures in California, Connecticut, and Maine.
Our government has a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect all citizens. When women are unsafe, so is our society.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Senate President John Cullerton…
“My goal in this office has been to advocate for professional conduct in the workplace and provide a safe space for victims to speak up and be protected. Discrimination, harassment and intimidation are unacceptable and not tolerated.
“I support the legislation being discussed.”
* And Patty Schuh…
“Governor Rauner mandated a sexual harassment-free workplace for state employees almost two years ago. Executive Order 16-04 — signed by the Governor on Feb. 26, 2016 –directed the creation of the state’s first Code of Personal Conduct. The order derives from the Governor’s strong belief in an ethical, respectful and accountable workplace and from his personal conviction that sexual harassment is unacceptable in all forms. State agency employees also receive required sexual harassment prevention training.”
* As I told subscribers the other day, it looks like some really big money is heading Ruiz’s way…
Jesse Ruiz, Democratic candidate for Illinois Attorney General, announced Tuesday that Newton N. Minow – senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree – has agreed to chair the Ruiz campaign.
“I have known Jesse Ruiz for more than 20 years, and I respect him both for his exceptional legal talents and for his fine character,” said Minow, who was a prominent supporter of President Barack Obama. “In these difficult times, I know Jesse has the strength and tenacity to stand up against governmental overreach and successfully defend the rights of the people of Illinois as our Attorney General.”
Kevin L. Freeman, a global M&A attorney in Chicago, will serve as campaign treasurer.
Ruiz also announced his first campaign finance committee co-chairs:
· Maria Bechily
· James C. Franczek, Jr
· Lenny Gail
· Dr. Mahalia Hines
· Scott Hodes
· Penny Pritzker
· Laura Ricketts
· Brooke Skinner Ricketts
· John W. Rowe
· Manny Sanchez
· Robin Steans
· Yolanda “Dusty” Stemer
“Jesse Ruiz will be a great Attorney General for Illinois,” Pritzker commented. “In addition to his legal abilities, he has a fundamental sense of decency that shapes everything does. He is absolutely the right choice to serve as the ‘people’s lawyer.’”
“I served on the Chicago Board of Education alongside Jesse Ruiz, and I was always impressed by his fairness and his willingness to listen,” Hines added. “He is a strong leader who is passionate about education and protecting the rights of children.”
Laura Ricketts said she and her wife Brooke support Jesse Ruiz “because he will stand up for all of us. For two decades, he has been a tireless volunteer and community leader. I am so encouraged that he has now decided to run for office at last. Illinois needs elected leaders like Jesse Ruiz.”
Ruiz is a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath, a nationally renowned law firm, where he has worked for more than 20 years. He also serves as President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners.
…Adding… His latest A-1 ain’t bad at all. Click here.
* Background is here [Republican governors “thank” Madigan in new Rauner ad]. From Speaker Madigan…
“Illinois’ balanced budget is a bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats who worked together to move beyond the governor’s political games and end his 732-day budget crisis. Rauner’s crisis created billions of dollars in unpaid bills, pushed Illinois to the edge of junk bond status, and shuttered social service providers throughout the state. Even now, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed to make the tough decisions the governor was unwilling to make, Governor Rauner would still rather play political games than work cooperatively to repair the damage he has done.
“The governor’s ad highlights his own failure to lead, and fully embraces the race to the bottom being led by his role models from states where middle-class wages are a fraction of what they are in Illinois. It’s deeply disappointing that Governor Rauner would rather work with right-wing governors from other states than with legislators seeking bipartisan compromise right here in Illinois. But his actions ultimately reaffirm our resolve in the Legislature to continue our work in a bipartisan way without the governor’s involvement – just as we have for many months now.”
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
Madigan has done it again, deceiving voters with the erroneous claim that the budget he muscled through the legislature is “balanced.” In reality, the budget STILL has a $1.7 billion deficit, despite his massive 32% tax hike. Madigan’s unwillingness to reform state spending has led to the massive tax increases and budget deficit the state now faces.
* The Statehouse has been evacuated after a fire alarm sounded. Veto session is scheduled to begin at noon, but that could be delayed. UPDATE: People are now being allowed back inside as of about 12:30. Follow along with ScribbleLive…
* Gov. Rauner’s campaign has a new ad featuring Republican governors from three neighboring states (Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin) thanking House Speaker Michael Madigan for sending jobs their way…
* Script…
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: We want to say ‘Thank you.’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb: Thanks, Mike Madigan.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens: Thank you.
Walker: For raising Illinois taxes.
Greitens: For blocking Rauner’s reforms.
Holcomb: And helping create new jobs in Indiana.
Walker: In Wisconsin.
Greitens: In Missouri.
Walker: Our economy’s on fire.
Greitens: We’re growing good jobs.
Holcomb: And we’re growing union jobs faster than Illinois.
Walker: So, we owe you.
Greitens: Huge.
Holcomb: Hoosiers love you, Mike Madigan.
Walker: Cheeseheads love you, Madigan.
Greitens: Big fans here in Missouri. Bigtime. Thank you, Mike.
Holcomb: Thanks, Mike.
Overlay: Stop Mike Madigan.
…Adding… As noted elsewhere, Rauner contributed $100,000 to Greitens’ campaign last year and gave $100,000 to Holcomb’s campaign about the same time.
*** UPDATE *** From the DGA…
The Democratic Governors Association, through spokesman Sam Salustro, releases the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad featuring governors who received substantial donations from Rauner:
“It’s appropriate the only governor not on screen is Bruce Rauner, who has abdicated his leadership position for nearly three years now. Illinois is losing jobs and people because Bruce Rauner forced the state to go through a two-year budget crisis that set the state back years financially and slowed the state’s economy.
“The fact is: Bruce Rauner’s economic policies have been the best thing that’s ever happened to Illinois’ neighbors.”
