The place to be
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I forgot to post this earlier, but the annual fundraiser for SIU sports is at DH Browns this evening. I’ll be there. You should too.
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This just in… ISRA issues apology
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Illinois State Rifle Association…
In a recent alert, the ISRA criticized those who exploit shocking criminal events for the purpose of diminishing the Constitutional rights of law-abiding firearm owners. We regret that some have construed our remarks as being insensitive to persons who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Such was certainly not our intent and we apologize to those we realize were genuinely offended.
Like all Americans, the Officers, Directors and members of the Illinois State Rifle Association are saddened by the carnage committed by vicious criminals. We equally abhor the now predictable pattern of bashing law-abiding firearm owners that follows such events.
Background on the group’s inane statement is here. [Fixed link.]
From what I understand, ISRA got major heat from their legislative allies for that boneheaded move.
And I’m not sure this apology really cuts it, but whatever.
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Caption contest!
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner and former Democratic state treasurer Alexi Giannoulis chat during a wind industry event…
Winner gets a Miller Lite.
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Poll: Quinn job disapproval at 62 percent
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The latest poll from We Ask America…
* From the pollster…
We’ve profiled Gov. Quinn before (Tenacious Gadfly), and not much has changed since then. Illinois continues to struggle under oppressive ($100 billion) public pension debt and multi-billion dollar budget deficits despite a sizable “temporary” state income tax now pumping more into state coffers. Quinn is often portrayed in press and the political blogosphere in terms of being hapless–not a great portrait for someone seeking re-election in tough times. Indeed, rumors continue to swirl of the possibility of fellow Democrats trying to take him out in next year’s Primary. But political coroners have tagged Quinn’s toe a number of times in the past only to be confounded. Will that be the case in 2014? Perhaps, but these approval numbers simply cannot be dismissed easily.
It’s problematic for Gov. Quinn that support among Independent voters continues to erode for him. Again, let’s be clear that these approval numbers can’t be viewed as a predictor of doom. Quinn’s dismal approval rating didn’t stop him from winning in 2010.
But we’re sure that some will look at these results and assume that Quinn can best be described as the Walking Dead.
The poll of 1,057 Likely Voters was taken yesterday and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.
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* A group called Fair Economy Illinois was at the Statehouse yesterday to lobby for a corporate transparency bill and a proposal to close some corporate loopholes.
* But the group also forced its way into the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association headquarters yesterday. From the IMA…
A group of approximately 50 protesters forced their way into IMA’s Springfield lobby and briefly chanted anti-fracking slogans for about 10 minutes Wednesday afternoon.
The well-rehearsed protest disbursed when the group’s leaders heard police being dispatched via scanners they were monitoring.
No damage was done, no arrests were made, and no minds were changed about the benefits of hydraulic fracturing.
The IMA building has a secure, electronic entrance, but apparently one of the protesters posed as a flower delivery person and that’s how the rest of them got in. The protesters also apparently hung up a sign on the outside of the building calling the IMA the “Illinois Money-Grabbing Association.”
* From the Twitters…
* A short video of the protest inside the IMA…
* A photo from the protesters entitled “is this where they manufacture our elected officials?”…
* And a photo provided by the IMA…
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* From an Illinois State Rifle Association “special alert”…
Like all people of good conscience, gun owners were appalled at that the crimes that took place in Newtown.
Nevertheless, gun owners really don’t put much credence in what the Newtown parents have to say.
After all, having a child murdered doesn’t automatically make one an expert in violent crime or an expert in the U.S. Constitution or an expert in the shooting sports. Likewise, being the parent of a murdered child does not give one the right to demand that lawful gun owners give up their constitutional rights just to bring closure to that parent’s grief. No, we gun owners will not be supporting any proposals to ban our guns, limit our magazines, tax our rights, snoop deeply into our backgrounds, or register us like sex offenders. As we have said many times before, we will not accept responsibility for what happened in Newtown because it is not our responsibility to accept. Obama, Biden and the rest of the gun-grabbing crew needs to understand well that our resolve is set in stone.
* By the way, ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson claimed this in an e-mail sent to members early this morning…
I want to share with you very important news (actually, I’m overjoyed): the Illinois State Rifle Association has reached a milestone by going over the 27,000 member mark. Thank you to all of you who have joined or renewed their membership. To overcome the entrenched anti-gunners and to achieve our goals in Illinois can only be achieved with a large and active membership. We must continue to grow, and we must continue to recruit new members. The outcome of what happens legislatively in Springfield is directly proportional of the power the organization has – we are not there yet, but we are definitely gaining strength.
Discuss.
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Medical marijuana bill heads to Senate floor
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Passage yesterday was expected since the bill was sent to the Executive Committee, which means it was greased…
An Illinois Senate committee has approved a proposal that would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
The Senate Executive Committee voted 10-5 Wednesday to send the measure to the full Senate. The proposal allows physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients who have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions.
The measure creates a pilot program that limits the frequency and amount of marijuana patients can buy.
The Senate floor vote is final passage.
* Yesterday’s most interesting objection…
Republican Leader Christine Radogno told [sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine] she doubted that if medical marijuana were legalized, it would strictly stay in the hands of its intended patients. “It will get out on the streets,” she said. She told Haine she thought the bill’s scope was too narrow for it to work. “I don’t think it addresses the bigger picture. I really think the question is if we should legalize it.”
OK, but would she actually vote for full legalization? If so, that’s huge.
* Another objection…
Supporters have touted the bill as the most restrictive of its kind in the nation, but questions during the more than hour-long debate arose over whether the bill would open up legalization of other substances and whether marijuana is an addictive ‘gateway drug.’
“I’ve seen the devastation of illegal drugs,” said Haine, who served four terms as Madison County state’s attorney. “I’ve seen it, but we can’t build a civilized society on a foundation of fear of a few people that are demented or are addicted that abuse medicines.”
But Jacksonville police chief Anthony Grootens, who worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency for 21 years, testified that he’s seen marijuana linked with other drugs such as heroin and that the amount patients could obtain under Haine’s bill leaves too much room for abuse.
“I don’t know if it’s a gateway drug or not, but what I will tell you, in the thousands of arrests and search warrants that we’ve conducted…for either heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, we routinely found marijuana,” Grootens said. “Does it go hand in hand? I don’t know. But we found it, and we’re still finding it.”
Grootens claimed that even if changes were made to the bill, he wouldn’t support it because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.
A very weak argument by Chief Grootens.
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Poison pill?
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s either a poison pill, as the Sun-Times says, or a way to make the Senate’s pension reform bill save more money. We will soon find out…
The plan that advanced in the Senate coincides with possible movement on another pension issue in the House, where Madigan has scheduled a hearing Thursday to craft legislation to make downstate and suburban school districts shoulder the state’s cost of funding pensions for educators in their school systems.
The idea to end what Madigan has derided as a “free lunch” for those districts has faced resistance from Republicans and suburban and Downstate Democrats, who worry the pension cost shift from the state could result in higher property taxes.
On Wednesday, Madigan predicted that his chamber will “get the job done” on the cost shift.
Since Cullerton’s plan can be tweaked in the House, there is potential it could merely be a poison pill that could be added as an amendment to help quash the Senate president’s plan in Madigan’s chamber. A defeat like that would leave the Madigan pension-reform version as the only game in town as a scheduled May 31 legislative adjournment looms.
Asked if he intended to move the cost shift as its own piece of legislation or tack it on an existing bill like the Cullerton one, Madigan told the Chicago Sun-Times, “We’ll get to that later.”
Your thoughts on this?
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Today’s quote
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From yesterday’s Senate committee hearing on the pension reform bill agreed to by the unions…
Cullerton is exerting his full political muscle behind a legal theory that state worker pensions can be pared back if employees and retirees are given options. His position rests on the idea that the choice fulfills the need to have a contractual relationship between the state and its retirees to stay within the confines of the constitution. […]
But the Illinois Retired Teachers Association strongly disagreed that there is a way around the constitution.
“A choice that is kind of like ‘Either jump off a cliff or I’ll shoot you’ is not really a very good choice,” said Bob Pinkerton, the group’s vice president. He said Cullerton’s legislation does not provide “any choice that is beneficial” to the group’s 35,000 retirees.
* Roundup…
* Cullerton defends union-backed pension plan
* Cullerton’s pension plan proceeds — on collision course with Madigan’s
* Senate panel approves union-backed pension package
* Cullerton’s pension reform gets committee approval
* Illinois Senate committee approves union-backed plan for $97B pension crisis, nation’s worst
* Illinois Senate votes Thursday on union-backed pension plan
* State Senate could vote on pension plan Thursday
* Retired Teachers Upset Over Senate Pension Plan
* Hinz: Will Pat Quinn seize his pension moment?
* Editorial: If you think Illinois’ pension mess is ugly, just wait
* Cook County pension woes worsen
* A New Way to Tame the Public-Pension Beast?
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Today’s Facebook post
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Republican state Rep. Ron Sandack’s Facebook page…
As of this moment (9:22 am), 151 people “liked” Sandack’s post.
I don’t think this is a joke, by the way, even though Rep. Sandack supports the gay marriage bill.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Illinois Review reports that State Central Committeewoman Deb Detmers listed folks who have been contacted by the state GOP and have expressed an interest…
* former Congressman Joe Walsh,
* former candidate for lietuenant governor Don Tracy,
* State Representative Ron Sandack,
* Cook County Commissioner Brad Schneider,
* former congressional candidate Jim Nalepa,
* State Central Committeeman Jack Dorgan,
* State Central Committeeman Mark Shaw and
* State Central Committeeman and head of Chicago Young Republicans Angel Garcia.
More…
Eight others have been contacted with no reply yet, Detmers reported, while several others have been contacted and indicated no interest in “applying” for the position. The contacting process will continue until Sunday night, and then plans for interviews with the candidates will begin.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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*** UPDATE *** Dold is in. From an e-mail to supporters…
Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of you about the problems you are facing in your businesses, in your households, and in your communities. You have encouraged me to carry your voice forward in 2014.
With deep reflection, and strong support from you, Danielle and our kids, my family and friends, I wanted to share with you first that I’ve made the decision to step forward and run in 2014 to represent the 10th District of Illinois.
I want to personally thank you for your continued encouragement. Running for office is never an easy decision for any candidate or their families, but this decision is much larger than my family and I; it is about serving our community and country.
I hope you will join me as we lay out our vision, together, for a more prosperous 10th District.
Very truly yours,
Bob Dold
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Roll Call’s Emily Cahn reports…
Former Rep. Robert Dold, the Illinois Republican ousted after one term in 2012, is in the final stages of planning for a rematch in the 10th District.
Multiple sources confirm to CQ Roll Call that Dold has started to interview campaign staff and is close to officially jumping into the race.
In a brief phone interview, Dold cautioned he is still weighing the decision with his family. But he confirmed he will likely make a decision about the race “within the next several days.” […]
Dold’s campaign account remains open with the Federal Election Commission from the 2012 cycle, although he did not raise any funds in the first quarter of 2013.
Thoughts?
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Question of the day
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
[I’ve changed this post to make it the QOTD.]
* There’s one born every minute. Suckers, that is…
Former Tea Party Congressman Joe Walsh has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to form a new PAC.
Its name: Grow Up & Be Free.
“What I’m doing is I’ve been traveling the state for the last four months. We are trying to grow a movement of people in Illinois to tell their politicians - they want to grow up, keep more of what we’ve make… We already have 2,000 members,” Walsh told the Sun-Times on Tuesday.
No disrespect, but Joe Walsh’s childish outbursts are pretty well known, yet his PAC’s name is Grow Up & Be Free? Or, maybe it’s a message to his kids, to whom he appears to owe child support. And speaking of which, instead of traveling all over Illinois to raise federal funds, shouldn’t he be getting himself a jobby job?
* The Question: What other PAC names would be appropriate?
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*** UPDATE *** The Senate is planning a hearing on the medical marijuana bill this afternoon, so the coppers gave the Associated Press an 11th hour press release designed to strike fear into Senators’ hearts…
Leading Illinois law enforcement organizations say motorist safeguards in pending medical marijuana legislation are not strict enough to prevent traffic deaths.
The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association sent a letter Wednesday to Gov. Pat Quinn and other state officials asking for tougher standards.
The Associated Press was given a copy in advance.
The AP didn’t even bother to find an opposing view. That’s just irresponsible. I don’t care if they are cops. Their word is not holy.
I e-mailed Dan Riffle of the Marijuana Policy Project about the development and he got back to me within ten minutes with this reply…
As a former prosecuting attorney, I know a thing or two about law enforcement and I can tell you the safeguards against driving under the influence in this bill are incredibly strict - arguably too strict. Patients who drive under the influence of cannabis would be charged under the exact same provisions that apply to anyone who drives under the influence of more impairing medications like OxyContin, Xanax, or Vicodin. The only difference would be that police would have more latitude to require a field sobriety test for medical cannabis patients.
The bill specifically states that “Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the arrest or prosecution of a registered qualifying patient for reckless driving or driving under the influence where probable cause exists.” It also directs the Secretary of State to make a notation on the patient’s driving record that s/he is a qualifying patient and, unlike current law, gives implied consent to field sobriety tests. Patients who refuse a test will have their license suspended and ability to use medical cannabis revoked.
The bottom line: medical marijuana patients who drive impaired can and will be prosecuted. It is irresponsible and simply false for these law enforcement officials to suggest otherwise.
*** UPDATE 2 *** More from the MPP…
Also, regarding blood/urine tests, the science is not conclusive on this. THC can remain in the system of someone who consumes marijuana for more than a week after use, so detecting it in a blood or urine sample doesn’t mean the driver is impaired.
There’s also no standard as to how much THC is evidence of impairment. The only way to figure out whether the driver is impaired is to observe their driving and conduct field sobriety testing, which the bill calls for and officers are well-trained in.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* The deputy director of government relations at the Marijuana Policy Project has penned an op-ed on why Illinois’ proposed medical marijuana law is different from the “wild” western states’ laws. For example…
Another common feature of medical marijuana laws adopted by Western states is the establishment of dispensaries, where patients are able to purchase marijuana. The proposal in Illinois includes a system of dispensaries, but there will hardly be a resemblance. California does not recognize or regulate dispensaries; that is left entirely up to the localities. In Colorado, dispensaries are tightly regulated by the state and localities, but there is no firm limit to their number, and several hundred are operating.
The Illinois bill, on the other hand, provides for a maximum of just 60 dispensing centers in the entire state, which will obtain marijuana from one of up to 22 cultivation sites (one per state police district). These facilities will be strictly regulated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Medical marijuana also will be tested for pesticides and potency and sold in labeled, sealed, tamper-proof containers.
The inflamed rhetoric against this bill just doesn’t add up.
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Madigan: Time for cost shift
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Speaker Madigan said he was holding a meeting this Thursday to discuss the cost shift…
House Speaker Michael Madigan is moving forward with a plan to require local school districts to pay their share of teacher pensions.
Currently the state covers pension payments for teachers in suburban Chicago and downstate Illinois.
Madigan says it’s a “free lunch” for those districts. He says the practice has exacerbated Illinois’ nearly $100 billion crisis and “should come to an end as soon as possible.”
More…
The announcement prompted questions from House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, who has opposed the shift over concerns that property taxes would rise. Cross supported the comprehensive Madigan pension overhaul that the House passed last week.
But Madigan’s move on the cost shift prompted Cross to worry that the focus on fixing the overall retirement system would be lost.
“It’s a matter of staying on point,” Cross said. He said all legislative energy should be centered on getting an overall pension reform bill to the governor. After that happens, he said, the speaker could “talk about anything.”
* It faces a tough road ahead, but…
Jessica Handy, policy director for the education advocacy group Stand for Children, said if the state would pay for everything that it owes for public education, then it would be not be a problem for some schools to pay for their teachers’ pensions.
“We have incredible disparities within our school systems, and general state aid is the one funding mechanism that is fighting that,” Handy said. […]
Handy’s group is pushing a map that she says shows 26 of Illinois’ 102 counties would lose under a cost shift. But that means the majority of Illinois counties could see their schools helped if the state paid for classroom education and not teacher retirement.
“The districts with high property wealth and low poverty counts would prefer to have money (go to pensions),” Handy said. “The districts with high poverty counts and low levels of property wealth would be better if they took that money in general state aid.”
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Lawsuit threat could hurt momentum
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This is not good news for Cullerton…
Senate President John Cullerton says one good reason to support his pension reform plan is that the unions won’t sue because they’re in on the deal, but already a group of retired teachers is prepared to go to court if the proposal becomes law.
The Illinois Retired Teachers Association, a group of 35,000 former public school teachers and educators, has fired off 5,000 emails expressing its opposition as the Cullerton plan comes up for votes in the Senate this week amid questions about whether it would save enough money.
* This really undermines Cullerton’s argument in favor of his plan…
IRTA Executive Director Jim Bachman called the changes “clearly unconstitutional.”
“The legislation may be less draconian than the bill sent over last week by the House of Representatives, but it still fails the test of constitutionality,” Bachman said in Tuesday’s statement. “If our organization sits back without a fight and allows changes to the spirit of our state’s laws governing enforceable contracts, then no agreement will ever again be safe from arbitrary dissolution under the law.”
Bachman noted the IRTA created a legal defense fund last year to be used to challenge pension legislation it believed to be unconstitutional.
The IRTA represents about 35,000 people. The state Teachers Retirement System said it has about 95,000 retired members.
* Cullerton’s proposal is attracting some support in the House, however…
Should the union-backed plan make it through the Senate, House lawmakers who voted just last week on a different idea to raise the retirement age, cut retirees’ benefits and make them pay more toward retirement would have to change their minds to approve it. Some suburban lawmakers who voted against Madigan’s plan said they might vote for Cullerton’s.
“It looks like it passes constitutional muster and I would potentially support it if it came to the House,” said state Rep. Dennis Reboletti, an Elmhurst Republican.
But state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat and pension expert, said offering teachers bad choices isn’t any more constitutional than the House’s proposal.
“For them to say that the legislature is giving people two choices, neither of which they have today, both of which are less than what they have today, I don’t know how that’s different from what we’re saying,” Nekritz said.
* But…
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the issue of the pension overhaul is “pretty well done,” since the House voted on it last week.
“Now we need to work on the cost shift,” said Brown, who contended that, based on the “fact sheet” Cullerton has passed around, the Senate plan “doesn’t appear to save any money.”
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Not stellar
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The NRCC made some fun of Democratic congressional candidate Ann Callis’s interview with a Springfield TV station this week…
The NRCC went on to slam Callis’ interview with WICS-TV in its release, saying “she forgot to get the talking points from Washington Democrats on why she is running” and had an “awkward exchange” in which it “takes Callis three times before she rattles out an incoherent answer on why she is running.”
After the news reporter asked Callis what Davis has done so wrong that she decided to leave the judiciary to run for his seat, the now-former judge said Davis “is part of the problem in Washington and not part of the solution.”
“I have a proven record of reaching across the aisle … to get things done,” Callis said.
Citing the veterans’ court and mandatory foreclosure mediation program that she instituted during her time as chief judge, a position she held since 2006, Callis said in the interview that she is “result-oriented. That’s how I am.”
She also said that while she has had previous discussions with the Democratic National Committee about a potential Congressional run, the “tipping point” for her was her son, who recently enlisted in the military and graduated from officer candidate school.
“He decided to make this big sacrifice and I am making a different sacrifice to serve my country in my way,” Callis said, later adding that she feels blessed to know her purpose “and that’s public service.”
During the interview, Callis said she is not a current resident of the 13th District, but “signed a lease” and will begin living in Edwardsville in June.
* The interview wasn’t exactly spectacular. Callis smiled and bobbed her head a lot and tried to appear very non-judicial while evading questions. But what I found most interesting about the interview was that the TV guy repeated claimed it was “three and a half years” before Republican freshman Rodney Davis was up for reelection.
The dude didn’t even know that congressional terms are two years?
Are you kidding me?
The full interview is here. Watch it at your own peril.
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Now they’re liberals?
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I don’t dispute any of the numbers in this Tribune editorial that blasts Senate President John Cullerton’s pension reform bill…
Madigan’s legislation does require more of government workers than Cullerton’s would. But it also bites a projected $140 billion out of the $380 billion taxpayers now are obligated to pay into the pension funds during the next 30 years. Cullerton’s bill would reduce those payments by a comparatively paltry $46 billion. […]
In preparation for the budget year that begins July 1, lawmakers in the House are considering cutting services, again, for the developmentally disabled. They are considering further reductions to child care programs for low-income families. They might have to cut payments for funerals and burials of those who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Also on the chopping block: schools for the deaf, the blind, the disabled.
It’s a shameful, shameful list, and it doesn’t stop:
The Department of Children and Family Services is being asked to cut more than $107 million — a 15 percent cut in general revenue funding. Yes, the agency that investigates child abuse will once again get slashed. Last year, DCFS cut after-school and summer programs for 1,500 abused and neglected kids. Money for counseling for 300 children who had been adopted through DCFS was eliminated in Cook County. Across the state, 4,000 families identified as at risk of abuse and neglect lost prevention services. In short, Illinois is barely taking care of its most vulnerable.
Money for schools consistently has been cut and will be next year, too. The Illinois State Board of Education has been forced to parcel out minimal resources. Basically, the agency decides which schools to hurt less. Meanwhile, neighboring states are increasing school funding.
OK, I get it. We all get it.
But notice how the Tribune never made those claims about the little school kids and DCFS when it was screaming about how the General Assembly should not raise the income tax rate a few years ago.
When worker pension payments eat into government programs, that’s bad for the children. But cutting many of those same programs beneficial to children in order to avoid an income tax hike? Well, that’s just good government.
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How can we miss you if you won’t go away?
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Be still, my beating heart…
Republican leaders, who orchestrated Brady’s exit strategy last month at a meeting in Tinley Park, said about a dozen real contenders are vying to replace Brady. That number is likely to be winnowed to five or fewer within the next two weeks after a Wednesday conference call of the state central committee members, they said.
Among the contenders is Jason Plummer, son of a wealthy Downstate lumber baron, who was the lieutenant governor running mate of state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington in 2010 and who lost a bid for Congress in southwestern Illinois last year.
Jason really thinks he has what it takes to run the state party, eh?
Okeedokee.
* Related…
* Pat Brady exits with blast, as Illinois GOP seeks new chief: “We have some really good people who get drowned out by this sliver of people who just care about things that aren’t very important,” he said. “If we just care about platform loyalty, we’re never going to attract enough people to win elections. . . .It drowns out our greatness, which a majority of people agree with us on: tax reform, limited government, education reform. . . .We need to emphasize the issues on which we can win elections. But it’s not the social issues. It’s just not.”
* Don’t expect the GOP to change on gay rights anytime soon: In other words, there hasn’t actually been a Republican shift on gay rights. Instead, Republicans have just been smarter about vocalizing their opposition to marriage equality and other anti-discrimination laws. Yes, a plurality of people who self-identify as Republican support same-sex marriage — 49 percent, according to a March survey from the Pew Research Center — but this doesn’t translate to support among the pool of Republican voters.
* GOP: Resignation of Brady is a chance to regroup
* Outgoing GOP chief Pat Brady warns leaders: ‘It’s not 1980 anymore’: “Certainly,” says Oberweis on the next chairman being pro-gay marriage. “I think it would be clear, hopefully, to all concerned if he or she supports gay marriage, that’s a private consideration. When addressing public issues, he or she will address issues that are supported in the party platform.”
* Editorial: GOP will be pressed to keep Brady’s momentum
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Protect Consumers Uphold the SB 9 Veto
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
AARP urges legislators to uphold the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 9.
Senate Bill 9 would burden Illinois consumers with retroactive electric rate hikes plus interest.
SB 9:
• Circumvents the ICC’s rate cut decision based on PA97-0616
• Circumvents the pending case before the Illinois Appellate Court
• Will add $24 million to ComEd’s latest $311 million rate increase
Crain’s Chicago Business sums it up…
“Proposed law would mean pension help for ComEd, higher rates for consumers”
For more information go to www.SayNoToRateHikes.com
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Today’s letter
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review has a post up about Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran’s letter to Rep. Ed Sullivan, a Republican supporter of gay marriage. Curran is definitely opposed…
In the letter to Rep. Sullivan, he gave three main reasons based on his experience and expertise in criminal justice:
“First, same sex marriage is not in the best interest of children; Second, same sex marriage is not in the best interest of society; and Third, same sex marriage will result in the loss of liberty for those opposed to same sex marriage.”
Curran told Sullivan that the overwhelming majority of people incarcerated in this country are male, up to approximately 90 percent in most correctional institutions.
“The single greatest common denominator of those incarcerated in this country is the absence of a father in their lives,” he said. “Some studies show approximately 85 percent of those in correctional institutions had no relationship with their fathers. All reliable studies show a boy that does not know his father is more than twice as likely to wind up incarcerated.”
Um, so if a boy has two fathers doesn’t that make him even less likely to wind up incarcerated?
Just asking…
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Sullivan responds…
Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to read his letter; a surrogate brought the letter to a meeting I had with approximately forty constituents Sunday night to discuss SB10. However, I am waiting for a return call from the Sheriff, and have been waiting for some time. When I heard that Sheriff Curran was going to be the lead speaker at the rally against the bill at my office, I called him thinking we could have a collegial discussion about marriage equality. I continue to extend that offer.
I have great respect for Mark, and have supported him for many years. When he changed parties from being a Democrat to being a Republican, I spoke at his press conference and welcomed him into our party, and that was after he was going to oppose me as a Democrat in the 51st District! When his conscience and religious beliefs dictated that he oppose the Death Penalty in Illinois, I supported him. When he backed a proposal to allow illegal immigrants the ability to have driver’s licenses, I was respectful of his beliefs even though I disagreed with him. And when the Sheriff was quoted as being in favor of decriminalizing arrests for marijuana possession in Waukegan, as a friend I was respectful of his views even though I did not share them.
Heh.
…Adding… Roundup…
* Editorial: Raising the Illinois speed limit would kill more motorists
* Editorial: Putting Illinois in the fast lane
* Editorial: Rate-hike dance has consumers partnerless
* NRA: Illinois A “Hotbed of Litigation” … And More Coming
* State ban on teen tanning? ‘Oh my God! I would cry’
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Not good
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This has been a truly horrible candidate rollout…
Well, well, what a coincidence. On the same day Ann Callis resigned as a Madison County judge to run for Congress on the Democratic ticket, Gov. Pat Quinn announced the appointment of David Gill to a high-level state job.
Gill was the party’s nominee for the 13th District in 2012 and had been contemplating another run, but his appointment as associate director of the Department of Public Health clears the way for Callis.
Actually, there’s nothing coincidental about the Callis and Gill news. These were cleverly orchestrated moves by Democrats to avoid a primary fight, just like the party decided who would run for former Rep. Jerry Costello’s 12th District seat in 2012.
Hey, getting Gill out of the way was a very smart political move, but it was just way too ham-handed. They couldn’t wait a few weeks in between developments? What the heck? How do you allow this to happen?
* Post-Dispatch…
The gentle clicks of pieces falling into place last week didn’t go unnoticed by national Republicans. On Monday, a full day before Callis’ formal announcement of her candidacy, the National Republican Congressional Committee’s official blog led with a searing pre-emptive piece headlined: “Ann Callis: Bringing the ‘judicial hellhole’ to Washington.”
That’s a reference to Madison County’s national reputation as a haven for high-dollar lawsuits. It’s a side of the Metro East that Callis knows well, as the daughter of prominent Granite City trial lawyer Lance Callis. She later took the helm of the judicial system that oversees those national asbestos suits and other topics.
Callis was dogged early in her career by allegations that she got to the bench because of her influential father. That and Madison County’s reputation for litigation are attacks the GOP is likely to launch early and often in the long campaign ahead.
Not to mention the way the path was cleared for her. It’s exactly the sort of thing that Rodney Davis railed against when he forced Jerry Clark out of the race last year. The Democrats just played right into Davis’ hands.
* Oy…
Callis has been the apparent party favorite since January, when she was invited to the presidential inauguration for vetting by the party, according to national media reports at the time. Her press interviews Monday, and distribution of today’s expected formal statement, were coordinated in part by Washington-based party staff.
Yep, those crack operatives at the DCCC are definitely behind this. Check out her announcement press release…
Chief Judge Ann Callis Announces her Candidacy for Congress
When Washington has Failed,Judge Callis has Delivered Reforms for Middle Class Families
Citing the need for a proven reformer who can get things done for middle class families in Illinois, former Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis announced today that she is running to represent Illinois’ 13th Congressional District in Congress.
Even as Washington has failed to tackle the problems impacting middle class families, Judge Callis has stepped forward with reforms that have delivered for Illinois. She pushed for a mediation process that allowed families facing foreclosure a chance to stay in their homes. Judge Callis opened more court records to the public. And her work to create the first Veterans’ Court in Illinois led to national recognition from the Foundation for Improvement of Justice – all while returning thousands of dollars of her budget to the taxpayers.
“Like many of my friends and neighbors, I’m frustrated right now that Washington is not listening, and it’s not delivering for the middle class,” said Callis. “As Chief Judge, I’ve delivered reforms when Washington didn’t, and I’m running to deliver solutions for middle class families who are looking for good-paying jobs, and someone to protect Medicare and Social Security.”
Blah, blah, blah.
That press release screams “WE’RE FROM WASHINGTON, DC AND WE’RE HERE TO HELP!!!”
Run away. Run away.
* Her problem…
Champaign County provided the largest share of votes in last year’s 13th District race, 54,834 to 48,190 from Madison County, 48,033 from Macon County and 41,104 from Sangamon County.
Champaign County also was one of only three counties in the district (the others being Sangamon and McLean) where Gill defeated Davis last year.
Champaign, Macon and Sangamon won’t turn out in a mid-term anywhere near like they did in the presidential. She’s really got a tough race ahead of her in more ways than one. The DCCC got their self-funder, and Callis is gonna get fleeced.
28 Comments
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Variations on a theme
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From comments today…
I truly think MJM is wanting to push through his [pension reform] plan, which is constitutionally suspect in order to force a lawsuit. This way he passes legislation that in the end, results in the status quo. The payoff is his daughter runs on a platform to fix the mess wrought by the GA and makes good with the unions…or maybe not.
* Greg Hinz at Crain’s…
I conclude that major pension reform, though not guaranteed, is really moving now. And then, we can get to the inevitable legal challenges — and a race for governor by Mr. Madigan’s daughter, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who really would like to be able to run without the race focusing on Daddy’s pension failure.
* Jay Levine at CBS2 back in January…
With the recent failures in the House to come up with comprehensive pension reform, some Springfield observers have suggested Speaker Madigan might be dragging his feet, and setting the stage for his daughter to ride in on a white horse and solve the state’s biggest problems.
* Sun-Times…
For Quinn, Madigan’s push carries important ramifications heading into the 2014 election cycle. The governor’s inability to rally the Legislature behind a pension-reform package after repeated efforts has made him look ineffective in some quarters.
Coming up with a signature accomplishment that could be portrayed as a partial cure to the state’s massive budget problems could boost his re-election hopes, even if the speaker’s daughter, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, opts to take on Quinn in a primary.
* And from some guy named John Giokaris…
“Why now?” Why would Madigan expend all this political capital and risk the ire of a core constituency of the Democratic Party? It’s hard to believe that a 40+ year political veteran would suddenly wake up one morning and possess the noble principles and leadership skills that the Tribune now gives him credit for.
Then it dawned on me: his daughter – Attorney General Lisa Madigan – is gearing up for a gubernatorial run in 2014.
Bingo.
If this bill becomes law today, Madigan clears the path for his daughter’s gubernatorial campaign just long enough to get through the 2014 election but before it gets in front of the state Supreme Court.
Boom, he just saved Lisa countless hours of public pension reform ideas on the campaign trail and grilling questions during the debates. She can consider this potential law as “problem solved,” and if she’s pressed on the legality of it, she can simply dismiss all responsibility with, “That’s up for the Illinois Supreme Court to decide.”
* Eden Martin…
Some cynics speculate that the speaker might be motivated to get this fixed because of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s gubernatorial aspirations. Maybe. But I think he’d like to get it fixed on the merits, no matter who becomes governor.
* And a blogger called The Mighty Quinn…
Will the public employee unions take out their anger, especially if this thing is passed, on Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who is just about certain to challenge Governor Pat Quinn (no relation) in the 2014 Democratic primary for governor? If they do, where do they go? To Pat Quinn, who has been working for something like this plan for at least the last year? Could this be an opening for Bill Daley, who also is pondering a run for governor? Unless Mr. Daley is completely mercenary, one suspects not; Mr. Daley’s theme, his entire reason for running, is that he is the one who can bring fiscal sanity back to Illinois. Backing the public employee unions in this case will not help that image. Could the public employees go with the Republicans? Though with the sorry batch of GOPers we have in this state, anything is possible, one can’t see even ultimate insider, collaborator, and go along, get along guy Kirk Dillard siding with the unions here, let alone someone like Bill Brady or someone even more conservative.
It looks like the unions have nowhere to go to vent their anger against the Speaker here…and Mr. Madigan knows it.
* Lesson: People will see what they want to see. Especially on this topic. It’s really getting ridiculous.
Discuss.
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Override SB 9 Veto to Get Smart Grid Back on Track
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
ComEd is disappointed that Senate Bill 9 has been vetoed. This legislation would get the Smart Grid back on track and allow ComEd to build a modern grid to reduce power outages and give customers more choice and control over their energy use.
Governor Quinn’s veto threatens millions of dollars of investment in our state’s economy and more than 2,400 jobs that have already been created through grid modernization. The delay of the Smart Grid also harms Illinois’ overall economic competitiveness and ability to attract and grow business here.
SB 9 merely clarifies existing language in the original Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2011 – nothing more and nothing less. In fact, the Illinois Commerce Commission participated in developing the bill’s language and retains its regulatory oversight over ComEd.
Even with the planned delivery service increases, customers on ComEd supply will still be paying about 10 percent less on their electric bill in January 2014 than they are today, due to a reduction in the supply charge that takes effect in June 2013. With energy prices relatively low, now is the right time to invest in Illinois’ electric grid.
We urge members of the General Assembly to override the veto to get the grid modernization program back on track.
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Farm Bureau backs AT&T rewrite
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
The Illinois Partnership for the New Economy & Jobs today announced the state’s leading voice for agriculture and farmers, the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), joined the coalition calling to update Illinois communications policies to create jobs and promote opportunity in rural areas of the state.
“Broadband brings economic opportunity to rural areas of Illinois. For farming and agri-buisiness in Illinois, wireless and broadband infrastructure opens new markets for products and provides access to technologies and information to operate farms and businesses more efficiently. We need more access to broadband for families and businesses in rural Illinois, and that’s why the Illinois Farm Bureau supports updating the state’s communications policy in 2013,” said Philip Nelson, President, Illinois Farm Bureau.
The Illinois Farm Bureau represents two out of three Illinois farmers.
The partnership is basically just a front for AT&T and other large phone companies. From the Citizens Utility Board…
The big phone companies in Illinois, including AT&T and Frontier, want to rewrite the state’s Telecom Act to:
-Eliminate the “Obligation to Serve” requirement. That means Illinois would be one of the only states to allow phone companies to potentially abandon areas they deem “unprofitable.” More than 2 million Illinois households—including seniors, the disabled, and those on fixed incomes—still rely on a landline to stay connected with friends, relatives, job opportunities, and emergency services.
-Eliminate “Safe Harbor” local calling plans, such as the Consumer’s Choice offers that CUB helped create. CUB estimates these plans have potentially saved consumers some $9 million a year.
-Eliminate service quality protections for people on standard rates or the Consumer’s Choice plans. Among the protections now threatened is a requirement that AT&T provide customers with a bill credit when their phone is out of service for an extended period of time.
Eliminating the “obligation to serve” could really impact farmers, so this is surprising. But AT&T is promising more broadband, so maybe there was some sort of deal. From an earlier press release…
AT&T recently launched Project Velocity IP (VIP), a three-year investment initiative to expand and enhance its wireless and wired IP broadband networks. As part of Project VIP, AT&T plans to increase the density of its wireless network by deploying more than 10,000 macro sites, more than 1,000 distributed antenna systems, and more than 40,000 small cells. Through this initiative, we also plan to:
Expand 4G LTE to cover more than 300 million people by year-end 2014
Expand the AT&T wired IP broadband network to cover approximately 75 percent of customer locations in our wired service area by year-end 2015
Expand the AT&T fiber network to reach 1 million additional business locations by year-end 2015
All I know is that I can’t get any AT&T service at all when I visit my grandma at her nursing home in Sheldon. And I don’t get anything but that painfully slow “Edge” network when I visit my uncle in Iroquois County just south of Kankakee. It’s like using a 2400 baud modem. And if you don’t know what that is, trust me, it’s slow. Veeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy sssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwwww.
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Today’s maps
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kiljoong Kim writes about “Chicago’s Silent Segregation” in the Beachwood Reporter…
Looking at the extremes, out of 801 census tracts in Chicago, there are five areas that have over 90% of the adults who are college educated.
Map…
Explanation…
Not surprisingly, those five areas are all located in affluent sections of the North Side: two census tracts in Lakeview, one census tract each around Sheffield Avenue and the Park West area in Lincoln Park, and one census tract in River North.
In fact, college graduate-majority areas are largely confined to the North Side along the lake, Hyde Park and Beverly.
Map…
Explanation…
On the other hand, there are 55 census tracts where fewer than 5% of residents are college graduates. Again, not surprisingly, virtually all of these areas are located in the West (West Humboldt Park and Hermosa), Southwest (Little Village), and South (Back of the Yard, Englewood, New City, and Marquette Park) Sides of the city.
Map…
Explanation…
This heavy concentration by formal education is not solely about simple division of economic status. If higher income leads to better housing, given that there is plenty of good housing stock spread across the city, we should have far less concentration by educational level. Anyone who has seen small studios and one-bedroom apartments in Lincoln Park and Lakeview can testify that even in these affluent areas, some conditions are far less than desirable. And yet, they are fully occupied by those who long to fit into these neighborhoods.
Conversely, West Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Gage Park and Marquette Park have more than adequate housing options available at fraction of the cost of living in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. This means educational attainment is one of the major determining factors for supply and demand in residential selection: Those with similar levels of education seem to seek similar lifestyles (and living in a certain neighborhood is just as much of a status symbol as cars, clothes, or any other consumption patterns).
Read the whole thing.
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Unions now have to face their members
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Statement by Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, on behalf of the We Are One Illinois coalition…
“The union coalition has made a great effort to ensure fairness for the public employees and retirees who did not cause this problem, to ensure the stability of the pension systems for future generations, and to offer a credible way forward. This agreement is our coalition’s bottom line.
“We continue to strongly oppose Speaker Madigan’s mega-bill, SB 1, which threatens to rob the retirement savings of teachers, police officers, and others in public service, by 20-40 percent. His proposal is not only drastically unfair, but it is blatantly unconstitutional, rendering any advertised savings fictional.
“We urge lawmakers from both parties in both chambers to embrace the agreed bill and oppose SB 1.”
* From an IFT e-mail to its members…
For the past several weeks, our union coalition has been meeting with Senate President John Cullerton to try to negotiate a pension agreement, demonstrating our willingness to share in the sacrifice and be part of the solution in the fairest way possible.
And finally, we have reached an agreement.
The agreement echoes our principles. It includes an ironclad funding guarantee, revenue by dedicating additional payments to the pension system, contractual protections for access to health care in retirement under several options, and limits the shared sacrifice asked of workers and retirees who did not cause this problem. You will find a full summary of the agreement here.
President Cullerton calls our agreement “credible” and “constitutional.” It represents our willingness to help stabilize our retirement systems, but remains our final, best offer.
* Glen Brown walks us through a bit of history…
It wasn’t too long ago when John Stevens, Legal Consultant for the “We Are One” Labor Coalition stated: “To take away the Cost-of-Living Adjustment [COLA] for [current and future] retirees is not a free and fair choice. It is a coercive choice under duress.” Indeed, the concept of duress (or coercion) is a vitiating (legally defective) factor and; therefore, Illinois legislators are breaching a contract by forcing public employees to make a choice to diminish their originally-vested and paid-for guarantee (unless, of course, their guarantees are going to be “diminished” through “modification of contract principles” at the bargaining table).
Like previous legislators’ proposals, the impairment of the COLA for both active teachers and retirees in SB 2404 offers public employees no ethical and lawful alternatives except to consent to the General Assembly’s demands and choose between two illicit choices.
It is unlawful to induce undue pressure upon public employees to make an unfair choice. It is a blatant exploitation of influence to obtain an unwarranted advantage – an illegitimacy of the General Assembly’s advantageous attempt to renegotiate a constitutionally-guaranteed contract. Furthermore, the “ironclad” funding assurance for a COLA is uncertain.
It was a short while ago when the We Are One Illinois Coalition stated, “Although [a] bill contains a pension funding guarantee, it can be circumvented if a court finds it significantly imperils broad categories of other funding priorities… [Besides], it does not give employees a separate right to civil action and only provides permissive authority for the retirement systems to sue for payment.” There is no question whether legislators will renege on any new promise made to public employees. The question is how soon it will happen. Let’s not forget that policymakers can rewrite or undo any bill they pass. After all, they are doing it right now.
* And teachers union dissident Fred Klonsky is not happy at all…
To be fair, I have also heard from some in the IEA who are telling me that we have to be pragmatic.
“This is the best the leadership could get. Crossing our arms and yelling ‘no” will get us nowhere.”
But this kind of pragmatism has a history.
It gave us the pension ramp in 1995.
It gave us the two-tier pension system. That royally screwed every teacher in TRS who was hired after January 1, 2011.
It gave us the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) so the state would qualify for Race to the Top.
It gave us Senate Bill 7.
The horrible Senate Bill 7.
There is nothing pragmatic about this kind of pragmatism. Pragmatism means doing what works.
We have said all along that this is a revenue problem, not a pension benefit problem.
SB2404 does nothing to address the revenue problem.
Does anyone believe that a promise to fund the system without changing the way we raise revenue is a promise that will be kept?
The thieves in Springfield know, as they have always known, that the union leadership can be pushed to a point of fear and capitulation.
If the deal goes through? The state’s political leaders will be back again for more.
They always come back for more.
Because for them it always works.
They are pragmatic after all.
But each time we fall for it, it comes back to bite us in the butt.
Thoughts?
55 Comments
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Madigan: Not enough
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Sun-Times has a full react from House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman to the new union-backed pension reform bill…
A Madigan aide stopped short of shooting down Cullerton’s plan entirely but repeatedly emphasized that it doesn’t carry the same financial impact as the plan the House passed.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown told the Chicago Sun-Times he had seen fact sheets about Cullerton’s proposal, and they “frankly don’t seem like they save much money. We’ll have to take a hard look at that. The idea is to try to save some money and get the pension systems out of the plight they’re in.
Asked if the union plan would pass the House if it emerges from the Senate, Brown said, “I have no way of knowing. It doesn’t look like it saves money.”
* The comparison…
Cullerton’s proposal would wipe out about $10 billion of the nearly $100 billion pension shortfall, compared to about $30 billion under the House version.
The Senate Democratic plan also would save the state nearly $46 billion in pension payments over the next 30 years while the House plan would save about $140 billion.
More…
The Madigan plan would fully fund the pensions in 30 years; the Cullerton plan would fund the pensions at 90 percent, the targeted level of the current law. The differences fall within a major debate over the need to be fully funded or whether 90 percent is good enough to weather economic storms.
More…
Madigan last week didn’t show signs of backing down.
“The state’s fiscal problems are so bad that they require radical surgery,” Madigan said. “And this is the first step.”
More…
Madigan took a firm stance on the House floor last week, vowing to do all he could to get SB 1 through the process. He said of the union negotiations: “I don’t expect that they’ll be able to come to an agreement such that people will be prepared to back away from this bill. There’s two chambers here, and both chambers have to pass the same bill. The House has passed a bill, and so whatever the Senate does, I don’t think it would achieve the cost savings that the House bill does.”
* The Senate GOP kept its powder dry…
Senate Republicans are wary until they see legislation rather than the outline Cullerton presented as he emerged from a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats.
No comment from the governor’s office as of yet.
* A look ahead…
Cullerton said he plans to meet with Madigan on the union-backed measure, which will be heard in the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday. He also said his chamber would hold off on considering Madigan’s pension bill until senators can take up the new measure.
* Reboot Illinois, which is owned by a kabillionaire pension reformer, cries for the children…
None of us willingly takes any solace in cutting the income of retirees, but we are in a crisis in Illinois. We understand fully the motivation of state workers who believe they have been victimized by politicians who skipped payments when they insist that cutting benefits is unconstitutional.
But where is the outcry on behalf of our children? Their education benefits have been cut since 2009, also violating the state constitution. Will no one sue on behalf of our children?
People have sued multiple times over many decades. The Illinois Supreme Court has rejected all education funding lawsuits and I’m pretty certain that the Reboot folks know that. There simply is no constitutional mandate for state education funding as far as the courts are concerned.
Oppose whatever you want, but at least be honest when you try to hide behind the kids.
* The SJ-R’s outline of the proposal…
Senate Bill 2404 contains numerous options. Here’s how they break down
Active employees
Choice A: Lower COLA
*Agree to a 3 percent simple COLA with a two-year delay.
*Continue state-subsidized health insurance at retirement.
*Future salary increases count toward pensions.
*May enroll in an optional cash balance retirement plan.
*Eligibility for early retirement option for downstate teachers only.
Choice B: Keep the current 3 percent compounded COLA.
Option 1
*Keep the current COLA.
*Give up state-subsidized health insurance at retirement.
*Future salary increases do not count toward a pension.
Option 2
*Keep the current COLA.
*Continue state-subsidized health insurance at retirement.
*Future salary increases count toward retirement.
*A three-year delay in the COLA.
*Workers pay an additional 2 percent of salary toward their pensions.
Retired workers would also have to make a choice.
Choice A
*Keep the current COLA, but it would be subject to a two-year freeze.
*Continue state-subsidized health insurance.
Choice B
*Keep the current COLA.
*Give up state-subsidized health insurance.
* Related…
* House pension proposal flops in Senate, new version on way
* Cullerton’s outline
* We Are One Illinois’ outline
* VIDEO: Cullerton talks to the media
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Question of the day
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* We’ll get to a discussion soon about the details and react to a new pension reform plan crafted by Senate President John Cullerton and the unions. But i’m curious about something else at the moment.
As you know, Cullerton attempted to graft his former pension plan onto the Madicrossbritz proposal. The idea was to allow the courts to decide if the more severe House proposal was constitutional first. If that plan was struck down as unconstitutional, then the Cullerton alternative would become law. The idea was flatly rejected by business groups and Republicans.
As you will soon see, there is resistance from House Speaker Madigan’s office to this latest Cullerton proposal. So…
* The Question: Should the Madigan and Cullerton pension proposals be combined into a single “Plan A, Plan B” bill? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. And let’s just stick to the question here. We’ll have ample time to talk about the merits later this morning.
…Adding… I messed up the code, so if you’ve already voted you need to vote again. Sorry and thanks.
customer survey
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Brady resigns as state GOP chairman
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CNN…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady resigned Tuesday, citing a handful of reasons including an ongoing struggle with several members of the state GOP over his support for same-sex marriage.
“There were several reasons,” why he decided to step down, Brady said in a telephone interview with CNN. “I’ve been going at it hard for six years, I need to focus on my family, and obviously I had lost the support of the state Central Committee because of my position on gay marriage.”
Brady’s resignation letter is here.
* Brady wants the party to choose a woman…
Brady did say that he thought the best thing for the party would be to choose a woman to replace him.
“I really think we need a different face than an old white guy,” he said. “I think it’s time for a woman.”
The party said in a written statement Tuesday that Carol Smith Donovan, the current vice chairman, would serve as interim chairman until the State Central Committee selects a permanent replacement.
* A look ahead from the Daily Herald…
Party officials will hold a conference call Wednesday morning about the decision. […]
Tenth District Committeeman Mark Shaw of Lake Forest, Republican national committeemen Rich Williamson and Demetra Demonte, and Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider of Bartlett are among others being considered. […]
The already drawn-out process to replace Brady is reminiscent of the party’s lengthy, often-frustrating search for a U.S. Senate candidate in 2004. The nomination was eventually offered to former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, who did not even live in Illinois — a move that left a bitter taste in the mouths of a number of Illinois Republicans. President Barack Obama defeated Keyes in that Senate race.
* History from the Tribune…
Brady’s resignation marks the latest trouble for a political party that had held Illinois’ governorship for nearly a quarter century until then-Gov. George Ryan’s tenure as secretary of state led to indictment and imprisonment. Though Ryan’s successor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, suffered the same fate, Gov. Pat Quinn survived a close 2010 vote against conservative Republican nominee state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington. Sen. Brady is no relation to Pat Brady.
After the November 2012 losses, which also handed Democrats veto-proof majorities in the Illinois House and Senate, Pat Brady argued Republicans needed to be more inclusive. […]
The decision ends Brady’s three-plus years as party chairman, a post he took over after predecessor Andy McKenna Jr. offered his surprise resignation in August 2009 to mount an ill-fated run for governor,
* And the youngest member of the state central committee, Steven Daglas, sent out a blistering press release last night…
Chairman Brady and his family have made tremendous personal sacrifice while helping lead the Illinois Republican Party since 2008. During that time, Pat has never complained or made excuses.
In light of this, I find some of the rhetoric recently directed his way to be both unacceptable and fundamentally disappointing. While it may be challenging to maintain a level head when discussing issues near and dear to one’s heart, it remains neither appropriate nor helpful for strangers to call or email someone out of the blue with degrading attacks savaging another person, their character or their family.
Such action is reprehensible and appalling, not as a matter of politics, but as a matter of human decency. Ugly behavior and vile, destructive deeds are no way to strengthen any organization. Thoughtful free speech and respectful dialogue do not exacerbate problems in life - they help us develop solutions and find common ground.
Put more simply, agreeing with someone on 9 out of 10 questions does not make them your enemy. It makes them someone you can work with 9 out of 10 times to help improve the quality of life for friends, families and neighbors across Illinois. This is especially true in a state facing the dire challenges and Democratic control ours does.
It is incumbent upon all of us, as Republicans, to lead by example moving forward. We may quarrel and fight as siblings, but shall always support each other as family.
Discuss.
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