The Illinois House passed two new bills Thursday that would authorize approximately $3 billion in spending for state services including higher education and human services.
This came a day after the Democrat-controlled House’s failure to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of another bill that would have provided $721 million for MAP grants, community colleges and adult-education programs.
Both bills passed Thursday were sponsored by Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago. The first, in an effort to pay for the spending, eliminates the state’s obligation to reimburse money “swept” from special state accounts from the previous fiscal year, which would save about $454 million
$3 billion in spending with $454 million in kinda sorta funding?
“Instead of leaving town for a month, the House should continue to meet and focus on the real bipartisan solutions that have been introduced as fully funded bills, instead of voting on sham bills and continuing a crisis for political gain,” Rauner said.
* OK, setting aside that ridiculousness for a second, remember on Wednesday when Democratic Rep. Scott Drury voted against the MAP grant veto override?…
Rep. Scott Drury calls IL House "a delusional deliberative body" during MAP funding debate. A Dem, he didn't vote for funding in 1st place
* Drury said the body is “delusional” because it keeps passing piecemeal budget bills without paying for them. He’s been arguing for months that this approach was doing more harm than good by putting off a real budget agreement…
Drury, the lone Democrat not to support the override motion, said members from both parties need to stop taking votes to make themselves feel good or to include in their campaign literature.
He argued rank-and-file lawmakers must look for a true solution to the budget deficit and the impasse or admit to themselves they are only allowing their respective party leaders to keep the stalemate going for their own purposes.
“As long as there is no pressure … they are empowered to keep this impasse going. And they have done that since June,” he said.
“The answer is to stop empowering this leadership that keeps thrusting this upon us, because if we don’t give them an out, we can get a solution,” Drury said.
“We have to be accountable,” Drury said. “We have to do our jobs, we have to have courage, (and) we have stop being wimps.”
* And this is what Drury told his constituents after Wednesday’s vote…
ENOUGH ALREADY
For months, I have been outspoken about the problem with the piecemeal approach. By prolonging the impasse, victims are continually victimized. Even the victims who think they have received help often don’t realize that the “help” is illusory because no funding is actually provided.
Drury said during debate yesterday that the $3 billion approp bill was a more comprehensive solution.
Really?
$3 billion in appropriations without revenues to back it up is comprehensive? And he also voted against the funding?
Gimme a break.
* Another legislator who voted against the MAP grant override this week was GOP Rep. Reggie Phillips, who represents EIU and has said since the bill was introduced that it was a phony piece of legislation…
From his MAP grant legislation comments in the above video…
“How did that bill get funded? How are you going to fund that bill?… I’m not gonna go vote for a bill that isn’t gonna be funded… I’m not gonna vote for a shell bill that’s not gonna be funded! Do you understand that? This is politics as usual!”
* If Drury and Phillips had both voted for the override Wednesday, it would’ve passed. The impasse dynamic could’ve actually changed for a couple of reasons: 1) Rauner would’ve lost a House veto override motion for the first time since his inauguration; and 2) The governor would then have been put in a very tight spot to come up with money to fund the grants for impoverished college students.
FEC reports came out in IL-10 and it’s just as ugly on the Democrat side as we expected. Brad Schneider has spent over $900,000 while Nancy Rotering has shelled out more than $650,000, and there are still nearly two weeks until Election Day! While Schneider and Rotering burn through cash attacking each other, Bob Dold has stockpiled more than $1.6 million for the general election.
Here’s a look at cash on hand as of the latest report:
Bob Dold $1.6 million in cash on hand
Brad Schneider: $296,000 in cash on hand
Nancy Rotering: $452,000 in cash on hand
In the final two weeks, Schneider and Rotering will ramp up their spending even further, ensuring the eventual nominee is damaged and far behind in the cash race on the morning of March 16th.
NRCC Comment: “While Brad Schneider and Nancy Rotering burn through cash attacking each other, Bob Dold has stockpiled more than $1.6 million for the general election. Whoever is the eventual Democrat nominee is sure to be damaged, broke, and facing an uphill climb in the expensive Chicago media market.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter
That’s wishful thinking if they believe whoever wins that primary won’t have the money to compete this fall. It’s gonna be one of the very top races in the country, after all.
* But, money aside, check out Rotering’s new press release…
Nancy Rotering for Congress launched “Values,” the campaign’s third television ad of the 2016 primary election cycle. The :30 second TV ad highlights the difference between Rotering and Schneider on access to health care, Schneider’s voting record against President Obama and touts Rotering’s endorsement by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times.
“When given the opportunity to increase access to health care, Brad Schneider chose to side with the Republicans and diminish the opportunity for nearly half a million people to finally receive access to health care and effectively deny women access to birth control,” stated Stacy Raker, Campaign Manager for Nancy Rotering for Congress. “Brad cannot run away from his record. It is an undeniable fact that Schneider voted with Republicans to undermine Obamacare. Nancy Rotering would never stand in the way of increasing access to preventative care or birth control.”
* Schneider has been complaining about Rotering’s ads for weeks. From February 12th…
Yesterday, Brad was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) competitive “Red to Blue” program because Democrats nationwide consider our race as one of the BEST opportunities to flip a seat this November.
But right now our opponent is spending thousands on a vicious and deceptive ad campaign that is misrepresenting Brad’s progressive record.
*** UPDATE *** Schneider response to Rotering ad…
“Nancy Rotering is behind in the polls and has resorted to desperate, dishonest tactics to try to hurt Brad,” said Campaign Manager Magen Ryan. “His 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America say it all; Brad always has and always will stand with women to ensure they have full access to quality, affordable healthcare. Implying anything different is playing politics with an issue that is too important to us all. We have enough Republicans trying to do that – we don’t need our fellow Democrats doing it too.”
Rotering Claim:
Schneider voted to effectively deny women access to birth control.
Fact:
Schneider earned perfect, 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America for his votes in Congress.
In fact, the legislation Rotering references dealt with funding the ACA through penalties. The cited bill would have delayed the employer mandate and fine for one year, until 2015, just as the Obama Administration itself had done earlier by executive order. Furthermore, under the law, employees whose employer did not provide compliance coverage in 2014 could purchase subsidized coverage on the exchanges. As Healthcare.gov notes, “Plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace must cover contraceptive methods…”
Today, local veterans and two Illinois Congressmen with decorated military records spoke out about Sen. Sam McCann’s false claims of military service.
In 2010, Sam McCann claimed to have served in the United States Marine Corps. He claimed to have enlisted in November 1989. He called himself a “veteran” and said he learned “courage” in the Marines.
Since 2010, McCann has been unable or unwilling to publicly provide documentation to prove his military service. (Bernard Schoenburg, “McCann Camp Calls Demuzio Tax Charge A ‘Diversion’,” The State Journal-Register, 10/14/10).
It has been 6 since years since McCann first claimed military service on the campaign trail, and yet his record continues to be shrouded in doubt and secrecy.
Statement from Kevin Rachford, Army Combat Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient:
“These allegations are very serious. Anyone who would steal the valor of our American heroes is unfit to hold elected office. It’s hard to fathom that a politician would stoop so low to win an election.”
Statement from Jim Mathes, Army Combat Veteran:
“I spent more than a year in Vietnam. I sacrificed for my country. How could any politician demean the service of brave men and women just to win a few votes?”
Statement from Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Major, United States Air Force
(2003-Present):
Congressman Adam Kinzinger has served in the United States Air Force since 2003 and has been a member of the Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air National Guard and was progressively promoted to his current rank of Major.
“I am deeply disturbed to hear Sam McCann lied about his service in the US Marine Corps,” said Kinzinger. “For an elected official to use military service for political gain is beyond reprehensible and offends all those who have actually served and sacrificed in our armed forces. Our veterans and those currently serving deserve a full explanation and an apology. Bottom line: the people of Illinois deserve better.”
Statement from Congressman John Shimkus, Graduate of United States Military Academy (1976-1980); United States Army (1980-1986), US Army Reserves (1986-2008):
Congressman John Shimkus, a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), served over five years active duty in the Army (1980-1986), then entered the Army Reserves (1986-2008). While in the Army, Shimkus earned the Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger tab and Parachutist Badge and served overseas with the 54th Infantry Regiment in West Germany
“As an Army veteran and graduate of the US Military Academy, I recognize the importance of electing public servants who will sacrifice for the common good and make the tough decisions to get our nation and state back on track,” said Shimkus. “It’s sad that anyone would attempt to sell himself to voters as someone who served in uniform without even attending boot camp. ”
The race for 2nd District Illinois state representative is heating up.
Theresa Mah’s campaign is accusing supporters of opponent Alex Acevedo of bad behavior at a recent event. Congressman Luis Gutierrez and other Latino leaders gathered in Pilsen on Monday to endorse Mah.
In a campaign email, Mah claims an “angry mob… shouted racial slurs and tried to physically intimidate” her supporters.
The Acevedo campaign strongly denies the allegations.
* The video indicates otherwise. Click here. A Google translation of the Hoy article…
Just when Gutierrez arrived, a group of demonstrators carrying approached placards saying: “Shut up chachalaca”, “Cardenas HDO”, “Latinos United,” “The people sold will be defeated,” among others, and planted front the place where the announcement would be made Mah support.
The interruption came to the degree that Gutierrez decided to move the conference across the street, but in the end only made some statements to the newspaper Hoy.
“I have more than six calls Acevedo begging my support. I had to say no. You can see why I said no, I would not associate with people who do not believe in democracy. They do not allow freedom of expression, “said Gutierrez. […]
Then, Gutierrez walked away while he was followed by the group booed Gutierrez said [was in] fear for his life.
A woman who kept shouting “shut up chachalaca” declined to be identified and declined to comment.
A “chachalaca” is defined by SpeakingLatino.com as an “eloquent but dishonest person.”
Republicans insisted the state’s lack of funds means the measure was a false promise, noting various court orders and laws have put Illinois on track to spend billions more than it is taking in this year.
“I have never seen a more tragic case of playing games with young people’s lives,” said Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. Righter argued Democrats were following Madigan “like lemmings, right off the cliff.”
That prompted a fiery response from Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, who accused Republicans of blindly following Rauner’s orders to repeatedly vote against spending bills.
“All we hear from you is ‘womp, womp, womp, womp,’” Lightford said. “I don’t even know why you come to the Capitol. Why do you even show up?”
Yeah, we’re getting so close to a resolution. If only Madigan would just step aside.
Right.
* Related…
* Charlie Wheeler: Budget Fix Needs Statesmanship, Not Magic Tricks: No one should expect Democrats would abandon organized labor and not just because they fear retaliation from House Speaker Michael Madigan, as Rauner and his PR minions like to suggest. Anyone could be the speaker, and most Democrats would continue to believe that working men and women should be able to organize to safeguard their workplace interests. It’s in their DNA. In fact, plenty of Republicans share that belief, including the three GOP chief executives who preceded Rauner.
The 12th Ward Democratic Committeemen campaign got hotter today, as the Muñoz and Cardenas campaigns lobbed charges of vote buying at one another while allies of one campaign launched an attack website.
Incumbent 12th Ward Democratic Committeeman and State Senator Tony Muñoz’s campaign released a letter to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office alleging vote buying by the campaign of challenger and 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. The letter was accompanied by a video showing what seems to be a Cardenas campaign worker handing out books and Cardenas’ palm cards to voters outside the 12th Ward early voting polling place. The book, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, is part of a post-apocalyptic trilogy in the same genre as the Hunger Games.
“If donating a book constitutes voter fraud, then the Senator is guilty of the same thing for handing out tax rebates at the polling place,” responded Cardenas campaign manager and 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. “I don’t think of what he’s alleging as voter fraud.”
Lopez’ comments referred to a flyer distributed by Muñoz’ 12th Ward Democratic Organization promoting a property tax rebate seminar scheduled for this Saturday at the McKinley Park Field House, the same location as the 12th Ward’s early voting polls.
…Adding… From Tom Shaer, Deputy Assessor for Communications at the Cook County Assessor’s Office…
This seminar is one of over 125 standard Taxpayer Outreach events which the Cook County Assessor’s Office annually does for many community organizations and elected officials in all townships.
All aspects of property valuation, assessment, the appeal process and exemptions will be covered. No ‘rebates’ are being offered and qualifications for all exemptions are subject to State of Illinois statutes governing such exemptions.
* The letter to the state’s attorney is here. And here’s the video…
* The alleged inducement is kinda bizarre. From Amazon…
A lot happens in this first installment of a projected trilogy. Darrow, living in a mining colony on Mars, sees his wife executed by the government, nearly dies himself, is rescued by the underground revolutionary group known as Sons of Ares, learns his government has been lying to him (and to everybody else), and is recruited to infiltrate the inner circle of society and help to bring it down from within—and that’s all inside the first 100 pages. This is a very ambitious novel, with a fully realized society (class structure is organized by color: Darrow is a Red, a worker, a member of the lower class) and a cast of well-drawn characters. Although it should appeal to all age groups, there is a definite YA hook: despite being a veteran miner and a married man, Darrow is 16 when the novel begins. If told well, stories of oppression and rebellion have a built-in audience, and this one is told very well indeed. A natural for Hunger Games fans of all ages.
I’m figuring somebody had a bunch of free copies laying around.
* Meanwhile, from a blast e-mail by state Senate candidate Angelica Alfaro, who claims to be taking the high road…
We’re now less than two weeks from primary Election Day here in the Second Senate District. Normally this would be a time for optimism for the future of our neighborhood and state.
But, wouldn’t you know it, the other side in this race has nothing but negativity to offer. No optimism in sight, just personal attacks on me and my campaign, with no vision or ideas to fix our state’s problems. For a race as serious as this one, I am disappointed that the other side has nothing positive to offer.
We need to ensure the Second District has a Senator in Springfield who will fight for all of us, not simply call people names. Can I count on your vote before Early Voting closes?
My opponent – Omar “Machine-O” Aquino – will do anything to get elected, including his endless attacks on me. He even gave a campaign job to a convicted felon. His godfather, Political Machine Boss Joe Berrios, was fined for ethics violations – for putting his family on the government payroll.
But Machine-O’s desperation doesn’t end there. He even supported tax hikes on hardworking families in our district, all while his own family got a 50% property tax break (even though an identical building across the street didn’t). All thanks to his godfather, Political Machine Boss Joe Berrios. The rest of play by the rules. Machine-O gets political favors from his godfather Political Machine Boss.
His desperation sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the honest, hardworking families of the Second Senate District.
My neighborhood-focused campaign needs your vote. I voted early already, but join me and Vote Early today.
The choice in this election is crystal clear. Don’t get stuck with a political hack like Machine-O, doing the bidding of his Political Machine Boss godfather.
* Mayor Rahm Emanuel was almost speechless when he was asked about a comparison of Gov. Bruce Rauner to presidential candidate Donald Trump…
The mayor was reacting to a question from a public radio reporter who said an Illinois delegate for Trump to the Republican National Convention told her there are similarities between the two men. “A Trump delegate said that? He clearly didn’t get the talking points,” Emanuel said.
“This is the first time at a press conference I’d like to say I’d like to go off the record,” Emanuel said with a laugh as a dozen media members surrounded him on a stage after an expansion announcement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. […]
“Let me say, let me answer that question with a non-answer but a bigger point. Let me, here’s what I will say: If you think Donald Trump — I don’t think Bruce Rauner, I’m not going to speak for him, would see that as a compliment,” Emanuel said. […]
“The reason I’m opposed to Donald Trump’s candidacy, there’s a lot of reasons. One particular is because he is not only dividing the Republican Party, it’s exactly how his presidency will be in dividing the United States,” the mayor said. “And I won’t say but you know, Illinois right now, while it had its divisions before, they have been exacerbated of late. And I would hope that we come together and move forward, and what I say by that, particularly as it relates to education of our children.”
