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Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

After weeks of listening to predictions of doom and gloom from top state officials, Democrats in the Illinois House are poised to roll out a spending plan that relies on an extension of the temporary income tax.

Rather than imposing tough cuts on schools, prisons, universities and social services, the spending plan would mirror a budget proposed by Gov. Pat Quinn that adds more cash for schools, universities and social service programs, said state Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat who chairs a House appropriations committee.

The majority party could schedule a vote on the budget blueprint as early as Thursday, with an eye on asking lawmakers to extend the temporary income tax at a later date. […]

State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said leaders are polling Democratic members to try to gauge how many members support an extension.

If they go ahead and do this and it’s somehow signed into law before the tax hike extension is approved, I don’t know how it could satisfy constitutional review.

…Adding… From the Constitution…

The General Assembly by law shall make appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year.

They’ve gotten around this in the past by fudging revenue or even spending numbers (not making pension payments, for instance, or pushing Medicaid payments off to the future). But when the revenue numbers are clearly lower than the spending numbers, the budget could be challenged.

…Adding more… I can’t help but think this’ll really mess with the state’s bond rating as well. Talk about “uncertainty.” Sheesh, what a stupid idea this is unless they can actually pass a tax hike extension by the end of the month.

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*** LIVE SESSION COVERAGE ***

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* We now return you to our regularly scheduled live coverage…

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*** UPDATED x1 - Path cleared *** Dorgan out as state party chairman, Schneider backed

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…

It appears Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider will take on the role to lead the Illinois Republican Party without a challenge.

Schneider’s potential challenger, Blair Garber, notified Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner that he is pulling his name from contention, a source close to Rauner said. Garber reached out to Rauner, saying he would not oppose Schneider in what was to be an election to succeed Jack Dorgan scheduled for Saturday.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* From a press release…

Statement from Jack Dorgan and Bruce Rauner on ILGOP Chairman’s Race

CHICAGO - The following statement was released today from Jack Dorgan, Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party:

“Today, I am proud to announce that I will be joining Bruce Rauner’s Team as a Co-Chair of his Finance Committee. I will continue with the Illinois Republican Party as a member of the State Central Committee in the 5th District. However, with these new dual roles, I will no longer be able to run for re-election as chairman of the Party.

“It has been my great honor to lead the Illinois Republican Party as chairman over the last year, helping position our candidates across Illinois for an incredible victory this November. Our Party is exactly where I had hoped it would be: firing on all cylinders and ready to deliver a new direction to the people of Illinois.

“I believe that Tim Schneider is the best person to succeed me as Chairman. He understands exactly what it will take to spread the Republican Party’s message of more jobs, better schools, and value for tax dollars.

“Bruce and I look forward to working closely with Tim in the months ahead. We trust he’ll do a great job.”

Bruce Rauner today issued the following statement regarding Illinois Republican Party Chairman Jack Dorgan and the upcoming chairman’s election:

“Jack Dorgan has been an extraordinary Chairman, and he will be a great partner in our campaign. I’m honored he’ll be a part of the team. I applaud Jack’s service to the Illinois Republican Party over the last year and look forward to working with him to defeat Pat Quinn in November.

“As we work to shake up Springfield and bring back Illinois, I can think of no one better to be our next Chairman than Tim Schneider — a small business owner, fiscal conservative and proven reformer. Tim has served at the forefront of the fight against cronyism, corruption and fiscal irresponsibility in Cook County - and I know he will be an unmatched spokesman across the state for our pro-growth, pro-reform vision for Illinois.”

* The Daily Herald is the only news outlet that went much beyond the press release…

Blair Garber of Evanston, who sits on the committee from the 9th Congressional District, is the only other candidate.

But Schneider’s backing from both Rauner and Dorgan gives him a clear advantage going into Saturday’s vote. […]

Dorgan was first elected to the post a year ago following the resignation of Pat Brady of St. Charles, who was nearly ousted from the job after lobbying state lawmakers to vote for same-sex marriage.

* Meanwhile…

It’s no secret that the national GOP is going to put some money behind the party’s nominee for governor here, Bruce Rauner, although Mr. Rauner has plenty of his own to spend on the campaign. But now comes word that the Republican National Committee is hiring 193 field staffers nationwide, boosting a variety of data collection and analytical tools and even springing for campaign offices as part of a Victory 365 program.

“The Illinois implementation of the program means several field offices around the state, advanced voter-contact technology, and a renewed focus on reaching out to new Republican voters,” the Illinois Republican Party said in a statement. Democrats “have taken the people of our state for granted for far too long,” added Illinois GOP Chairman Jack Dorgan.

In follow-up phone calls, officials aren’t offering any more details yet about exactly what will be spent and where. And, as is usual in such cases, the big decisions and financial commitments likely will wait until the fall, when insiders have a better idea which races are winnable and which are lost causes.

But the party already has dispatched a well-respected operative here to act as Illinois victory director, Tony Esposito. A staffer also has been assigned to help embattled downstate Congressman Rodney Davis, R-Champaign, hang on to his job.