* Press release…
Standing with working families on his first full day in office, Governor JB Pritzker took important first steps to raise Illinoisans’ wages by signing a robust initial package of legislation and executive orders designed to raise and protect their wages.
“This administration is putting Springfield back on the side of working families and these measures are a critical first step in the work that will define my administration, especially as we move toward raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On the first day of a new administration, we’re enshrining our state’s values to create real and lasting opportunity for the middle class.
“For hardworking people across Illinois, know that your state government has your back. Whether it’s pay equity for women, prosecuting employers who engage in wage theft, instituting prevailing wage requirements, using project labor agreements, restoring state employees’ steps, or promoting diversity in state contracts, these steps are the first of many to take bold action to support working families. This work is far from done, and I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to advance core priorities so working families across Illinois can thrive.”
Today, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2019-02, which will:
* Require that the Department of Central Management Services and the Department of Human Rights shall review the state’s pay plan to eliminate bias generated by asking employees for salary history, which often disadvantages women, particularly women of color. The State of Illinois will no longer ask prospective employees questions about salary history, because of historic salary disadvantages women face.
* Help protect workers from wage theft. The order directs the Illinois Department of Labor to expeditiously handle all cases of wage theft and day labor exploitation, including referring appropriate cases to the Attorney General. This will allow the administration to hold bad actors accountable and protect workers.
Require that all state agencies comply with the Project Labor Agreements Act.
“As the sponsor of the no salary history bill, I am proud to stand with our new governor today as he takes strong, immediate action to close the gender pay gap and move towards pay equity,” said Rep. Anna Moeller. “Governor Pritzker is making it clear to women across our state that they have a staunch ally and advocate in the governor’s office.”
“Surrounded by workers of all backgrounds, Governor Pritzker is delivering on his promise to stand up for working families with his signature on critical legislation today,” said Sen. Cristina Castro. “The action taken by Governor Pritzker today will protect wages, help close the pay gap for women, and improve the wellbeing of thousands of hardworking Illinoisans across our state.”
“I applaud Governor Pritzker for taking immediate action to lift up the middle class and those striving to get there,” said Mike Carrigan, president the Illinois AFL-CIO. “Signing this package of legislation and executive orders on his first full day in office shows that Governor Pritzker is putting working families first.”
Governor Pritzker also took the following measures to support working families:
* SB 203: The governor signed legislation passed by the General Assembly to protect the wages of workers and promote gender and racial diversity in companies with state contracts. The legislation ensures that the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) engages in collective bargaining with local labor stakeholders to establish prevailing wage rates. It also requires the IDOL to release reports on the diversity of workers employed on public works projects and provide recommendations to increase employment of women and people of color on projects.
* Steps: Today, the state will initiate a process to bring state employees to their appropriate salary step level. Under this measure, union employees, many of whom have not received step increases since 2015, will be placed at their appropriate step for purposes of their pay going forward. This action does not address significant outstanding issues, including backpay. The administration will continue to work toward solutions to manage taxpayer resources effectively and compensate state employees fairly.
The EO is here. SB203 is here.
…Adding… AFSCME Council 31 Executive Roberta Lynch…
Governor Pritzker’s announcement represents important progress toward ending Bruce Rauner’s illegal four-year freeze on step progression for state employees.
The process of placing employees on the appropriate step should be completed without delay.
It’s critical that the state also move quickly to make employees whole for the wages they have been wrongfully denied since 2015.
…Adding… IFT President Dan Montgomery…
By signing agreements that ensure fair pay for state workers and move toward pay equity for women, Governor Pritzker has shown more respect for workers and our unions on his first day in office than Bruce Rauner did during his entire term.
We applaud Governor Pritzker for making sure the state fulfills its end of the bargain in negotiated contracts, and we encourage that deliberate steps be taken to address the back-pay issue.
We look forward to continuing to work with the new administration to improve the lives of Illinois workers, provide high-quality public education and services for all, and ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share to help run our great state. It truly is a new day in Illinois.
…Adding… ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider…
Governor Pritzker has barely been in office for 24 hours, and he’s already signed an executive order spending an undefined amount of taxpayer dollars on state employee pay increases. Yesterday, we heard promises from Pritzker that he would work with Democrats and Republicans to balance the budget. Yet today, Pritzker unilaterally made reckless spending promises without specifying the costs, creating more budget uncertainty. It’s clear - the Pritzker agenda is the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat.
63 Comments  
|
All rise
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I mean, he is a Republican and he did lose the election, but both Republican legislative leaders rose…
…Adding… Legit classiness from Rauner’s staff…
* How do they say “bon voyage” in New Zealand?…
45 Comments
|
* Press release…
In his first official act as the 43rd governor of Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker will sign his first executive order today at 1 p.m. to usher in a renewed era of transparency among state agencies. This is a “back to basics” focus on serving the public and a requirement that all agencies ensure they are in compliance with the law.
Making good government a top priority, the first executive order of the Pritzker administration will direct state agencies, boards and commissions to immediately review their compliance with statutory mandates, come into compliance with data transparency laws and release all data that is required to be disclosed under state law, as well as review potential voluntary disclosures that would improve transparency and provide plans to address all audit findings of the past four years.
“Good government starts with making the state accountable to its people and ensuring every Illinoisan has access to the services they need,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our state’s hardworking residents deserve to know how taxpayer money is being spent, and I will ensure that transparency is a core value of my administration. By shining a light on how the state is and isn’t living up to its responsibility to our citizens, we can start making real improvements in the lives of families across Illinois.”
The elements of the executive order include:
A requirement that every agency, board and commission review all statutory obligations and audit findings from the past four years and provide a plan within 60 days to address findings;
A requirement that every agency board and commission review laws and regulations on publishing data and ensure compliance within 30 days;
A requirement that every agency, board and commission review their data publishing practices – including past practices – within 60 days to move toward greater voluntary data disclosure.
“Governor Pritzker is beginning his term by providing bold leadership with a commonsense measure holding state government accountable to its people,” said former Governor Jim Edgar. “This initial action by Governor Pritzker shows Illinoisans that he will prioritize high quality services to residents that are provided effectively, efficiently and transparently.”
“Illinoisans deserve to have a state government that is open and accountable to the people, and focused on delivering needed services effectively and transparently,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “Bringing the state into compliance with transparency requirements on day one in office shows this governor is working to move beyond our past and chart the right course for Illinois.”
“Every resident of our state should know how their state government is meeting or falling short of its obligation to provide quality services for all,” said Senator Melinda Bush. “Governor Pritzker’s action today shows he’s putting the people first and ensuring we are fulfilling the needs of all Illinoisans.”
“Taxpayers ought to know how their money is being used and if the state is actually serving its residents, and Governor Pritzker understands that,” said Senator Andy Manar. “In his first act as governor, he is demonstrating leadership and inviting accountability into the crucial services our state provides, and that will help all Illinoisans restore trust in their government.”
“For too long, the state has withheld critical data on how human services are functioning, but Governor Pritzker’s executive order writes a new chapter of good government for the state of Illinois,” said Thomas Yates, Executive Director of Legal Council for Health Justice. “We think everyone — providers, recipients, and the public — should be able to see accurate, up-to-date information about how human services and health care are administered by the state. With this executive order, state agencies will be on track to provide data to better inform policy for programs that improve the lives of millions of people in Illinois.”
The EO is here. [Fixed link.]
Any other EOs you’d like to see?
36 Comments
|
Do better, dude
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I haven’t interacted much with Illinois Supreme Court spokesman Chris Bonjean, but I sure hope when I do he responds better than this. From a Tina Sfondeles Sun-Times story…
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza — who has joined a long list of those vying to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel — avoided some controversy by being sworn in by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Rossana Patricia Fernandez — not Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, whose husband Ald. Ed Burke was charged earlier this month in an attempted extortion case. Justice Burke, a close friend, gave Mendoza the oath of office in 2016. WBEZ first reported the switch on Jan. 11.
Asked for comment on why Burke did not administer the oath, Illinois Supreme Court spokesman Chris Bonjean declined to elaborate, simply saying, “I hope the Sun-Times has better news judgement [sic] than that.”
Wow. That was a pretty condescending non-response.
* So, what, then, could possibly be the difference between Tina’s news judgment and that of WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos? Because Dan called the court about the same story just a few days ago and Bonjean had no patronizing retort…
And state Supreme Court spokesman Christopher Bonjean told WBEZ that he spoke with Anne Burke, and she said Mendoza had invited her to swear her in again — then withdrew that request recently.
Bonjean said he did not know when exactly the invitation was withdrawn or why.
Was that so hard?
…Adding… Sfondeles tells me that Bonjean called and apologized.
28 Comments
|
That was some party last night
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have no idea what the future will bring, but here’s the one thing of which I am certain: JB and MK Pritzker know how to throw a party. This, my friends, is the Expo Building on the state fairgrounds…
Yeah. The Expo Building. You know that place. It’s the one with all the little commercial booths. Unrecognizable last night.
…Adding… If you’ve never been to the Expo Building, here it is in its “natural state”…
* SJ-R…
A large crowd of Pritzker supporters and others mingled, took selfies and danced to various bands, including a surprise appearance from Maroon 5, an internationally known, three-time Grammy Award-winning band usually seen playing large arenas and stadiums.
In fact, just a day earlier, the NFL announced Maroon 5, fronted by Adam Levine, will be the main act of the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 3. But there they were on the stage in the Expo Building Monday night, playing hits such as “Payphone,” “One More Night,” “Sunday Morning” and “Harder to Breathe.”
Speculation over the identity of Monday’s headlining act circulated around town all day. Inauguration officials remained tight-lipped about who it was.
Just before Maroon 5 came out, the new governor and his wife, M.K. Pritzker, came out on stage for their first dance as the first couple. They danced to “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).”
I had to Google Maroon 5 to see who they were. I told people I’d done that and almost all of them said, “Dude, they’re playing at the Super Bowl.” My response was, “Yeah, I realized that during my Google search.” Turns out, I knew several of their songs.
* The crowd went crazy…
* I don’t know how much the Pritzkers spent on last night’s shindig, but they also did some good…
“This is amazing. It is for the people, all the proceeds are being donated to charity from what I understand, so we are all here just to have a great time,” said Sanovia Reynolds Parks, campaign volunteer.
One of the charities is the Illinois State Fair Foundation; the other is Cabrini Green Legal Aid, which helps low income Chicagoans maneuver the legal system. The executive director of the organization was a colleague of Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton.
“Being the recipient of this award was quite a surprise um Juliana called me during the week at like 10 o’clock at night and gave us the big news and so I was like ‘What is going on!’ Um, this is so exciting,” said Esther Franco-Payne, executive director CGLA.
With over 1,000 people in attendance, the ball raised at least $250,000 for those charities.
* The one thing I didn’t expect to see was a ton of Republicans. I think I’d been at the ball five or ten minutes before I finally talked to a Democrat.
Both Republican legislative leaders were also there and they didn’t just make a quick appearance and leave. They stuck around and partied. I talked to them and they were clearly having a good time and were both very hopeful about the future.
So, I wouldn’t put much stock into this analysis…
And while [JB Pritzker’s inauguration] speech was imbued with the bipartisanship that’s been running throughout inauguration weekend, the GOP didn’t buy it. Before Pritzker had left the building, Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider released a scathing statement.
He said Pritzker delivered “the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades—borrow, tax, spend, repeat.” And he accused Pritzker of failing to mention “promised” support of legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission. Both initiatives are supported by the Illinois GOP. “We didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes,” Schneider said.
The honeymoon seemed over with Republicans, but Dems were swooning.
Um, what?
It’s going to take a whole lot more than one silly press release from the state party to poison the well. People on both sides appear to be legitimately hungry for peace and progress. I don’t know how long this will last, but party hacks are gonna party hack. The real work is being done in Springfield, not GOP headquarters in Chicago.
43 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Oops!
Monday, Jan 14, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gov. Pritzker’s inaugural address…
[Illinois] is where, on the Sunday morning after the Great Chicago Fire, Reverend Robert Collyer, pastor of the First Unitarian Church, an immigrant, an ardent anti-slavery abolitionist, and a women’s suffrage advocate, stood amidst the broken ruins of his once grand church and brought hope and vision to his devastated congregation. His parishioners gathered around him, the sun peeking through gutted walls and splintered beams, an overturned column serving as his pulpit.
His words that morning have survived the 147 years since he delivered them…a testament to their power and truth:
“What is lost?” he asked. “First, our homes. Second, our businesses. But these are temporary. … We have not lost our geography. Nature called the lakes, the forests, the prairies together in convention long before we were born, and they decided that on this spot a great city would be built. … We have not lost our hope. … The fire makes no difference to me. If you’ll stay here, I will. And we’ll work together, and help each other out of our troubles.”
Since Reverend Collyer’s time, Americans have often had to gather in broken cathedrals – some of stone and glass – some of aspirations and promises – to reaffirm our faith in one another.
We find ourselves at such a moment now.
* Wrong Unitarian church…
*** UPDATE *** From Gov. Pritzker’s office…
On the church, that’s our bad. We should have been more clear that the fire destroyed the Second Unitarian church and not the First.
Interesting historical fact: there were two Robert Collyers – Robert Collyer, who preached at the First Unitarian Church and then was drafted to preach at the Second Unitarian Church – so he preached at both. There was also another Robert Laird Collier who became pastor of the First Unitarian Church (see the same section of the Our Roots page, under 1857-1871).
In the spirit of Rev. Collyer, we ask your forgiveness.
Nicely done.
43 Comments
|
* Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider…
It’s clear that Governor Pritzker’s agenda will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat. Over the course of the election and again today, Pritzker promised billions of dollars in new spending, programs, and regulations, all of which our state cannot afford.
And just a few short months ago, Pritzker broke with his party boss, Mike Madigan, when he promised to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party - but we didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes. Pritzker never intended to end the status quo in Springfield. Rather, he’s reinforcing it.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, Madigan, Cullerton, and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know that they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise. We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.
The numbers prove it - Illinois taxpayers are fleeing our state in droves. We must change course before it’s too late or else there won’t be any taxpayers left. As the next debates begin in Springfield, Illinois taxpayers will know that the Illinois Republican Party is on their side.
*** UPDATE *** Message to Republicans from Chairman Schneider…
And so begins the reign of the tax-hiking, tax-avoiding billionaire, Madigan’s hand-picked hand-maiden for the government unions and the special interests feeding on our tax dollars.
The Democratic Party is in ascendency in Illinois: Democrats control every lever of government, unchecked by anything but their own shame and the strength of our voices calling out their abuse and extremism.
We had a glimpse yesterday of what’s to come: more money for the folks who work for the government, increased debt and higher taxes for the rest of us. What a deal!
Governor Pritzker announces that the highest paid government workers in the Midwest don’t make enough — and doubled the government salaries of the top folks around him with pay from his own pocket. Not only does this trample ethical limitations on private payments to public servants, but it sends a clear message to all other government workers too — more is coming to you.
Will Pritzker supplement the pay for all these folks too? Don’t bet on it: recall this is the billionaire who dodged hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes on his Chicago mansion and hides his wealth in the Bahamas to avoid Illinois’ already high taxes — paying literally NO state income tax in 2014.
This higher pay is coming from you. And, with Illinois’ appalling pension system, higher pay today means higher pay forever. So, generations of Illinoisans who don’t work for government and have no right to maintain their salary when they stop working for their current employer will pay for Pritzker’s “largesse.”
Remember: it’s your money, not his, that he’s offering to spend. He won’t move his wealth from the zero-tax Bahamas to pay either the current taxes or the higher taxes he proposes and, being born a billionaire, he has no real idea what each dollar means to the rest of us.
While it may be that marijuana eases suffering for some who are sick, but legalizing its sale here will not cure what ails Illinois. While taxing pot will generate some tax dollars, this new revenue is a minuscule fraction of Pritzker’s new spending — and it simply isn’t worth the terrible social tax that promoting pot imposes. Legal pot will lead to more DUI’s, more fatalities, more opioid use and more bad options for our children.
Government should support moms and dads who are trying to teach values to their children; undermining Moms to pay for ever sweetened deals for government workers is not good government.
It’s often said that voters get the government they deserve. I reject that: it’s often hard to see the truth about what’s happening in this age of fake news and biased media.
People deserve a government that serves them, not a government that takes more than it serves. People deserve a government that produces real opportunities, not a government that undermines property values and family values.
It breaks my heart to think of the damage Democrats will do to this state; you don’t deserve it. But, there won’t be any confusion or obfuscation about who has done what: everything that happens here now is done by Democrats.
And, when you see what they do, come join us. Republicans are the party of people government. Democrats have all the power of government today, but there is no greater power than that of informed and concerned people.
So don’t just worry, come help Republicans take your community and the state back for the good of all.
For Illinois,
Tim Schneider
Chairman, Illinois Republican Party
69 Comments
|
Rauner is Rauner to the end
Friday, Jan 11, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* HB 4637 was reportedly sent to Gov. Rauner by mistake. It was supposed to be held until JB Pritzker took over. Oops…
Today, I return House Bill 4637 of the 100th General Assembly with specific recommendations for change.
This legislation amends the process by which townships in McHenry County may be dissolved in an effort to consolidate and reduce Illinois’ excessive layers of local government.
While I applaud the effort to create a clear process that aligns with the Illinois Constitution’s vision that townships may be dissolved if approved by referendum, this is a process that should be available with equal clarity across the state.
This legislation also mandates the abolition of certain road districts in Lake and McHenry County. This question of consolidating services should also go to the voters through a referendum, a process that Lake and McHenry County—and all other counties—can already pursue under state law.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(e) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4637, entitled “AN ACT concerning local government,” with the following specific recommendations for change:
He goes out the way he came in: Refusing to accept incremental change.
* From the bill’s sponsor, Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills)…
Failed Governor and hypocrite Bruce Rauner showed his true colors again by vetoing my bill that would consolidate unnecessary levels of government and cut property taxes. The people of Illinois rejected phony, incompetent Raunerism in a landslide. Bruce Rauner leaves office with zero accomplishments and is widely regarded as the worst Governor in the history of Illinois. Good riddance to Rauner and his endless stream of lies! I look forward to passing my bill again during this General Assembly.
* This bill passed both chambers without a single “No” vote…
Today, I veto House Bill 982 from the 100th General Assembly, which would amend the process for filling a vacancy in the office of the President of the Cook County Board.
The legislation creates and amends a special set of conditions if the office of Cook County Board President is vacated, specifically during or after the period for filing nomination papers for the primary election. This process differs from that in place for any other elective county offices in the rest of the state. This is another example of special rules being legislated for certain parts of the state without compelling justification, while not applying those same rules to the rest of the state. We should seek more consistency in how state law regulates local governments, and less special legislation that addresses local concerns on an ad hoc, case-by-case basis.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 982, entitled “AN ACT concerning government,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
He also vetoed HB200, HB5769 and SB938, which all passed both chambers on unanimous rollcalls. SB426 passed the Senate unanimously and just four House members voted against it, but he vetoed it.
All these vetoed bills are now dead because the 101st GA can’t override vetoes of bills passed by the 100th GA.
…Adding… In an apparent last-minute resume sweetener, the governor just appointed DCEO’s Chief Operating Office Travis March to be Acting Director of the agency.
…Adding… He also just appointed Jessica Baer, Director of the Division of Professional Regulation, to Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Her appointment is official come Monday, just before Pritzker is sworn in. She replaces Secretary Bryan Schneider.
14 Comments
|
* I watched the first two episodes of this series and it was a nauseating, shocking experience. Sun-Times editorial…
If there’s a radio station in Chicago still playing R. Kelly’s music, shame on them.
If there’s a concert venue still willing to book him, shame on them, too.
They are turning a blind eye to the abundant evidence of Kelly’s sexual pursuit and abuse of underage girls.
“Surviving R. Kelly,” the 3-part documentary seen last week by an estimated 1.9 million viewers, laid it all out in explicit, harrowing details recounted by some of the survivors of Kelly’s abuse, including his ex-wife.
* Today…
Chicago’s 95.1 FM Clubsteppin station will no longer play any music by R.Kelly because of the controversy that resurfaced after Lifetime’s “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary series.
* Other stories if you’re not up to speed…
* Eye-opening R. Kelly documentary on Lifetime an ‘uneasy’ must-watch: “I want my story to be heard so people can take the situation seriously,” says Lisa Van Allen, one of Kelly’s former love interests, who first hooked up with him when she was 17. The series does just that, presenting credible, firsthand accounts of years of alleged abuse against young girls and women by Kelly, a Chicago native. According to several subjects, the singer and his entourage purposefully scoped out Kenwood Academy High School girls at a Hyde Park McDonald’s.
* The timeline of the R. Kelly child pornography case
* At least 2 women contact Cook County prosecutors with new R. Kelly allegations: One woman, who’s originally from Georgia, said that Kelly engaged in inappropriate conduct with her at his rented warehouse/studio space in 2002. She said she ran away from home in Georgia, met Kelly in Florida and eventually came back to Chicago with him.
* R. Kelly ordered to allow inspectors inside rented warehouse
* After ‘Surviving R Kelly,’ the #MuteRKelly movement gains momentum
* Lady Gaga apologizes for ‘poor judgment’ over R. Kelly song; stands with victims
* Chance the Rapper apologizes for ‘taking this long to speak out’ about R. Kelly
* Georgia prosecutor seeking info about R. Kelly, lawyer says
* Instagram post linked to R. Kelly’s daughter blasts performer: In the IG post, Buku Abi says she is “devastated” over “everything that is going on right now” and offered support to alleged victims. “I pray for all the families … that have been affected by my father’s actions.”
* ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ leads to spike in sales, streams for the singer
* And now this from WICS TV…
An organizer is selling tickets for Springfield Spring Break Jam, hosted by R. Kelly at the expo center on April 6, 2019.
But after allegations have come up against the R&B singer R. Kelly, it is unclear if the concert will go on as planned.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed organizers submitted an application for the Springfield Spring Break Jam, but said the application is still under review.
Officials said there are 13 factors they consider when reviewing an application for a concert.
That is the same State Fair Exposition Center where JB Pritzker’s inaugural ball will be held.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture needs to find a way to cancel this show. Period.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The person who runs Kity Promotions, which is putting on the show just told me via Facebook messenger that R Kelly “will not be performing,” at the concert.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Department of Ag…
Hey Rich! Just want to make a couple clarifications on the R. Kelly story – the event organizers submitted an application to lease space on the Illinois State Fairgrounds to host a concert featuring R. Kelly. However, that application was under review until yesterday, at which point IDOA staff contacted the organizer to let them know their application would not be approved. IDOA’s Administrative Code outlines 13 criteria that applicants must meet to lease space (ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/008/008002700J04950R.html) and in this case, the event did not meet criteria C, E, and G.
Unfortunately, we cannot control when organizers start promoting an event – in this case, there was never a signed agreement to host the event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, only an application.
17 Comments
|
* I told subscribers about this earlier today. Tribune…
Billionaire Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, who pumped more than $171 million of his own wealth into his campaign to defeat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in November, now will use his own money to bolster his top government aides’ salaries, his transition team reported Friday.
Pritzker’s incoming Chief of Staff Anne Caprara will be paid a salary of $298,000 — $148,000 in state money and $150,000 more from East Jackson Street LLC, an organization Pritzker set up to “enable the governor-elect to personally compensate some staff in addition to their government salary,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Rauner’s chief, by comparison, made $180,000 in 2018, according to state records. […]
Pritzker’s transition pointed to former New York City mayor and fellow billionaire Michael Bloomberg supplementing his staff’s pay with his own money. The transition says Pritzker’s move means some aides will have lower taxpayer-funded salaries than Rauner’s, and they’ll have to report the supplemental income on ethics forms.
* Sun-Times…
The double salary will be apply to Pritzker’s chief of staff Anne Caprara, his three deputy governors Dan Hynes, Christian Mitchell and Jesse Ruiz and their special assistants, deputy chiefs of staff and other high-level employees. It will apply to 20 positions, including some that have not been filled. […]
The deputy governors will make $278,000: $139,000 each from the state and the LLC. Senior adviser Nikki Budzinski will make the same.
His deputy chiefs of staff, including Emily Bittner, who will run his communications staff, will make $174,000 and Abudayyeh, his press secretary, will have her state salary of $75,000 doubled to $150,000. […]
Staff who receive the additional pay will be required to publicly report it in line with other public disclosures.
* Press release…
The Governor-Elect is committed to recruiting top talent to state government to best address the challenges Illinois faces. As a result, an LLC has been created that will enable the Governor-Elect to personally compensate some staff in addition to their government salary, reducing the cost to taxpayers. This process will take place in a transparent manner with requirements that information be reported publicly.
Subscribers know more, but the Pritzker transition claims he will not take any tax deductions on the supplemental payments.
* Two former Raunerites told me the same thing earlier today…
*** UPDATE *** AFSCME…
115 Comments
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|
