* I told subscribers about this committee posting by Speaker Madigan yesterday. Here’s Leader Durkin’s response…

Dear Speaker Madigan,

During our Leaders’ meetings this week, we discussed the importance of enacting reforms to create jobs and grow our economy. Employment in Illinois is flat over the past decade, and we continue to lose manufacturing jobs while neighboring states expand. Without reforms that spur economic growth, increase employment, and bring new tax revenue through growth, Illinois will continue to suffer from structural budget deficits year after year.

Governor Rauner presented us with his ideas to create jobs, lower property taxes, and improve our schools. In Wednesday’s Leaders’ meeting, we discussed a specific proposal to lower workers’ compensation costs, understanding that Illinois’s costly, uncompetitive workers’ compensation system is one of the primary reasons that employers have left Illinois or choose not to relocate or expand here. That proposal was introduced in July 2015, following bipartisan discussions earlier that year.

At the conclusion of our Wednesday meeting, we agreed to return with feedback on the various reform proposals discussed during the meeting. Governor Rauner repeatedly made clear that he has no pre-conditions to a bipartisan agreement on a balanced budget with needed reforms, and he specifically requested your input and ideas. A bipartisan agreement to end this budget impasse will only happen with meaningful negotiations between the legislative leaders and the Governor. Our workers’ compensation reform proposal is a starting point for discussion, not an ultimatum.

So I am surprised to learn that – within hours after the conclusion of our Wednesday meeting – you referred the workers’ compensation reform proposal, House Bill 4248, to the House Labor and Commerce Committee for a hearing on Monday, November 28, 2016. I believe it is premature to hold a hearing on the matter; our goal should be to use the legislation as a starting point for discussion at our Leaders’ meeting that day.

The people of Illinois want us to work together to fix Illinois. We want fair hearings on proposals we craft together in a bi-partisan manner. I urge you to return to the negotiating table with suggestions and to work together in good faith to end the budget impasse. We will succeed by working together on a path towards compromise and mutual agreement on a comprehensive balanced budget with reforms.

Sincerely,

Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader

This is actually pretty tame compared to what I thought it might be, particularly since Madigan posted Durkin’s own bill for a hearing without consulting him first. Madigan often claims, after all, that sponsors decide when their bills get called.

But the Republicans are trying to maintain a positive public face these days and look reasonable. So, we get stuff like this.

…Adding… Some commenters are being deliberately obtuse. This bill was introduced last year. It was a “marker” bill. Nothing more. It was the big ask and not the expected result. Negotiations are now under way. Unless you’re trying to undermine those negotiations, you don’t post a hearing on an old bill.