* Wow, what a week. I’ve been telling people lately that I think I was put on Earth to cover this spring session. I hope it doesn’t wind up putting me in the ground. We all gotta take it easy every now and then, so rest up this weekend and I’ll talk to you Tuesday…
The governor’s office consulted with the Comptroller’s office, and the governor’s office developed an operational solution.
State agencies under the control of the governor’s office will withhold unfair share fees when processing payroll. Additionally, agencies will retain an amount of money equal to the withheld unfair share fees until the legal issues are resolved.
The fact that the Governor pro-actively took steps from the beginning to segregate the unfair share funds shows his respect for the legal process underway. Whether it’s the Comptroller or the individual departments that keep the ‘unfair share’ funds in reserve, the Governor is making sure that he is able to carry out his obligation to protect the constitutional rights of the people of Illinois while recognizing that this important issue will ultimately be decided by the courts.
So, instead of ordering the comptroller to violate state law and state contracts, the governor’s gonna do it himself.
Sheesh.
…Adding… To be clear here, the comptroller has no say-so or choice in this matter if Rauner’s agencies deduct the fair share dues before submitting payroll to the comptroller’s office.
*** UPDATE *** Earlier today, a commenter posted this…
There has been a surge in AFSCME locals for those with fair share status to convert to full union membership.
So, is this true? Is a backlash building? I asked AFSCME’s spokesman about it…
That’s what we’re hearing from our local unions – and there are more than 70 locals that represent state employees – as well as anecdotally on social media, etc, but we won’t have any hard numbers until membership cards come in.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Dan Webb is now officially off the case…
On Friday, Webb told the Sun-Times he could not represent the state on Rauner’s behalf in court due to conflicts. Rauner had said in his announcement on Monday that Webb’s involvement would be conditional on obtaining waivers.
“Like most major law firms, we have private clients with disputes with the state of Illinois. I could not work out the waivers,” Webb said. He told the Sun-Times he “reluctantly” had to call the governor’s office to decline. “I was grateful that they wanted to have me involved.”
Rauner has since tapped another high-profile attorney: Phil Beck. Most famously, Beck represented President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in the Florida recount trial versus Democratic nominee Al Gore.
Beck’s involvement is destined to make some heads explode.
*** UPDATE 3 *** From Roberta Lynch at AFSCME Council 31…
“The comptroller is right to refuse to implement Gov. Rauner’s unlawful Executive Order regarding Fair Share. The governor’s response shows the lengths he’ll go to in his crusade to undermine unions.
“Clearly his mission is not to build up Illinois but tear down the institutions that provide a voice for working families in our state. He seems offended by the idea that workers who protect children, care for veterans, ensure safe prisons and provide other essential public services earn a decent living and have a voice on the job.
“Our state faces real challenges, yet Gov. Rauner devotes his time and energy to bizarre and illegal schemes to scapegoat workers and weaken their morale. His combative approach offers no path to work together for the common good.”
Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has selected Jim Schultz, 55, as Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Schultz’s experience in agribusiness and as a banking entrepreneur gives him the breadth of knowledge to develop and support businesses across the State of Illinois. He will bring 30 years of experience to the position.
Schultz is currently the chairman of Open Prairie Ventures, Inc., a company he founded in 1997. Open Prairie provides private equity services and manages more than $135 million in fund commitments.
Prior to founding Open Prairie Ventures, Schultz was the chairman and CEO of Telemind Capital Corporation. The company provides merger and acquisition guidance, and financial consulting services to businesses. Schultz assisted clients in a number of industries, including: software development, banking, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and entertainment.
Schultz earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University in 1980. He holds a law degree from DePaul University and an MBA from Northwestern University.
Experience:
● Open Prairie Management, LLC., Founder and Chariman of the Board (1997-Present)
● Telemind Capital Corporation, Chariman/CEO (1990-2000)
● Prime Banc Corporation
o Chairman of the Board (1993-2001)
o Board Member (1993-Present)
● Pinnacle Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., Chairman and Founding Partner (1992-1996)
● Physicians Clinical Laboratories, Ltd., Chairman and President (1990-1993)
● Agracel, Investment Banking Parneter, General Counsel, CFO (1987-1992)
The incoming director of the Department of Children and Family Services said Friday that he got one clear message during his single meeting with his new boss, Gov. Bruce Rauner:
“He knows that it’s a problem agency,” said George Sheldon. “He seemed concerned and he also expressed a commitment to do what was necessary to fix the system. He’s totally aware of the need for change.”
Sheldon, 67, who was credited with efforts to reform Florida’s often-criticized Department of Children and Families when he ran that agency from 2008 through 2011, will be taking over the agency shortly after the Tribune’s “Harsh Treatment” series revealed that juvenile wards have been assaulted, raped and lured into prostitution at taxpayer-funded residential treatment centers.
During a 45-minute telephone interview from Florida, Sheldon said he warned Rauner that troubling headlines won’t cease with his appointment.
Friday, Feb 13, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives. They were first exempted from federal income taxes in 1917 to fulfill a special mission as valuable and affordable cooperative alternatives to for-profit banks.
Even though credit unions are exempt from income tax, they still are subject to, and pay, property, payroll, and sales taxes, and a host of governmental regulatory supervision fees. Since their inception, credit unions have more than fulfilled their mission, as evidenced by Congressional codification of the credit union tax exemption in 1951 and 1998. Though the range of services has evolved to effectively serve their members in an increasingly competitive financial marketplace, the cooperative structure, which is the reason for their tax exempt status, has remained constant.
Nationally, consumers benefit to the tune of $6.6 billion annually because credit unions are tax-exempt. In Illinois, by most recent estimates credit unions annually provide nearly $205 million in direct financial benefits to almost three million members. In an era that continuously poses economic and financial challenges, credit unions remain true to one principle - people before profits - and represent a highly valued resource by consumers.
Friday, Feb 13, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In the 1960s, court cases began highlighting the dangers of car design and the willful negligence of manufacturers in designing cars that they knew to be unsafe. Since then then the civil justice system has worked hand-in-hand with regulation to protect Americans, while spurring generations of safety innovations.
The drop in car crash fatalities is due in large part to the fact that cars are getting safer. For more information, click here.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s appointee for Illinois Comptroller, Leslie Munger, won’t abide by his executive order setting aside “fair share” union fees without a court order.
It’s a decision that the state’s top lawyer is backing.
“We agree with the Comptroller,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said in an email. “Fair share fees are constitutional under the current law and she must follow the law.”
That’s the same statement the AG’s office sent me yesterday.
(T)he governor’s executive order does not apply to other constitutional officers, according to Illinois Attorney General office chief of staff Ann Spillane.
“There’s no question that under the current law that fair share fees
are constitutional,” Spillane told the Sun-Times. “(Leslie Munger) can’t ignore validly-signed contracts. She is an independent constitutional officer, an executive order doesn’t change her conduct.”
Munger is charged with enforcing state statute and collective bargaining agreements unless or until a court order says otherwise, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office said.
* The Illinois Federation of Teachers responded after my item was published…
Following a Capitol Fax report that Comptroller Leslie Munger (R) and Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) will not implement Governor Rauner’s Executive Order regarding fair share fees, IFT President Dan Montgomery issued this statement:
“As we said earlier this week, the Governor’s actions were a blatantly illegal abuse of his power, so we’re glad to see a bipartisan confirmation that the constitution still matters. A democracy does not allow one man to implement his ideological will as he chooses, and so Comptroller Munger and Attorney General Madigan rightfully put the law over politics. As he considers his upcoming budget plan, the Governor would be wise to do the same. Our state has serious financial challenges, and Governor Rauner’s out-of-touch, partisan attacks on middle class families and the unions who give them a collective voice isn’t the way to solve them. Let’s hope we can start working together in earnest next week.”
* From AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch…
“It is gratifying to know that two of our state’s constitutional officers are clearly committed to upholding the Constitution. That they include both a Democrat and a Republican shows that preserving the integrity of our democracy isn’t a partisan or political issue. No elected official has the right to place themselves above the law.
“We have said that Gov. Rauner’s executive order was clearly illegal, and meant solely to strip workers of their ability to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. State employees throughout Illinois will welcome Comptroller Munger and Attorney General Madigan’s determination that the order should not stand.
“We renew our pledge to work constructively with anyone of good faith to move beyond the governor’s polarizing attacks and begin to address our state’s real challenges.”
Laying groundwork for a potential 2016 bid, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told supporters in suburban Chicago on Thursday that he and first-term Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner could take similar approaches to running states with divided government.
Christie frequently visited Illinois last year to boost Rauner’s campaign as the then-Republican Governors Association chairman. Rauner, a venture capitalist, ousted Democrat Pat Quinn in November to become the state’s first GOP governor in more than a decade. Christie said that such support was critical in “tough neighborhoods” like Democrat-leaning Illinois and that challenges were ahead for Rauner, particularly in working with Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate.
“Bruce Rauner and I compare notes all the time in that regard,” Christie told a receptive crowd of nearly 1,000 people at a fundraiser in Rolling Meadows. “But what I’ve told him is, when you’re governor, you don’t have the luxury to say, `I won’t work with the other side.”‘ […]
Tickets to the 8th Annual Northwest Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Dinner cost $100 or $250 for a private reception and photo op with Christie. Organizers estimated they’d raise $150,000. Rauner did not attend the event.
“Rauner did not attend the event.”
Not mentioned in the story is that Rauner’s 2014 campaign manager is now working for Rand Paul’s presidential campaign.
Just sayin’, but that probably explains the absence.
Just days before Gov. Bruce Rauner unveils a budget that is expected to include few new revenues, one of the state’s leading taxpayer watchdog groups is proposing a sharply different path.
In a report issued [yesterday], Chicago’s Civic Federation proposes not massive spending cuts but a range of revenue hikes, including a partial rollback of the income tax cut that took effect on Jan. 1; expanding the sales tax base to include services; temporarily eliminating the sales tax exemption for food and nonprescription drugs; and taxing some retirement income.
The group also wants to slow spending growth to 2 percent from the recent 2.7 percent annual level but warns that much deeper cuts than that may be counterproductive. […]
[Civic Federation President Laurence Msall] said the federation looked for a way to balance the books and pay the state’s bills without making the roughly 20 percent across-the-board cuts in discretionary spending that would be needed. “We were not able to do it,” Msall said.
The plan likewise calls for austerity, and holding state spending. But it’s clear that cuts alone should not be the only response to the state’s deficit. According to the report, in order balance the budget through reductions alone, Illinois would need to slim spending by 25 percent… something that would “come at the cost of eliminating entire areas of State services or completely restructuring how Illinois government functions.”
1. Fix Fiscal Cliff in FY2015: Rather than sharply dropping income tax rates by 25% in one year, the State should retroactively increase the income tax rate to 4.25% for individuals and 6.0% for corporations as of January 1, 2015. The State could then provide additional tax relief by rolling back the rates on January 1, 2018 to 4.0% for individuals and 5.6% for corporations.
2. Control State Spending: The State should restrict discretionary spending growth from the 2.7% level shown in its three-year projections to 2.0%, closer to the rate of inflation. This could reduce total State spending by $1.3 billion over five years.
3. Broaden the Income Tax Base to Include Some Retirement Income: Out of the 41 states that impose an income tax, Illinois is one of only three that exempt all pension income. To create greater equity among taxpayers, the State’s income tax base should include non-Social Security retirement income from individuals with a total income of more than $50,000.
4. Expand Sales Tax Base to Include Services: Illinois should expand its sales tax base to include a list of 32 service taxes proposed by Governor Rauner. Due to the complexity of sourcing rules and collections for new businesses that are not currently required to collect sales taxes, it is estimated this expansion could take up to two fiscal years to fully implement.
5. Temporarily Eliminate Sales Tax Exemption for Food and Non-Prescription Drugs: To provide much-needed immediate revenue, the State should temporarily eliminate the tax exemption for food and non-prescription drugs. The State should apply the full 6.25% sales tax rate to food and over-the-counter drug purchases through FY2019 and then reinstate the exemption in FY2020 after the service tax expansion is fully implemented and the State’s backlog of unpaid bills is eliminated.
6. Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to Provide Assistance to Low Income Residents: To help soften the impact of the State’s fiscal crisis on low income residents, the Civic Federation proposes an increase in the State’s Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% of the federal credit to 15% of the federal credit by FY2018.
Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Peter Roskam (R-IL) hosted his first hearing on protecting small businesses from IRS abuse. Roskam prompted IRS Commissioner John Koskinen to apologize for the agency’s longtime practice of seizing banks accounts of individuals and small businesses without any proof of wrongdoing.
Rep. Roskam: “Commissioner, the IRS grabbed these taxpayer by their throat and squeezed them…and nearly ruined them and made their lives miserable. Would you be willing today, on behalf of the IRS, to apologize for those taxpayers who were so abused?”
IRS Commissioner: “If they paid their taxes, they weren’t doing anything consciously illegal, and they got wrapped up in the system, that was a mistake and I apologize for that.”
* It wasn’t easy to get that apology. Roskam had to ask three times. Watch…
The Civil Asset Forfeiture Act of 2000, which was aimed at preventing money laundering, drug trafficking, or other crimes, has been criticized for enabling government agencies to use greatly reduced standards of evidence to seize assets. Agencies are able to confiscate and sell the property of individuals suspected of (but not necessarily charged with) a crime.
In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Peter Roskam (R – Illinois) pointed out that the IRS has used the law “to seize the bank accounts of people suspected of ’structuring’ – that is, of making cash deposits worth less than USD10,000 to avoid reporting requirements.”
On April 12, 2013, the IRS seized every penny of a nearly $1 million business account held by Georgia gun shop owner Andrew Clyde.
His misdeed — if you can call it that: depositing business checks into his bank account in increments under $10,000.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on House Republicans are on Wednesday preparing to shine a spotlight on the government’s practice of seizing small business civil assets without charging them with a crime, signaling a new oversight focus on an issue gaining more attention and hinting at new legislation backed by both parties.
In one instance, a U.S. attorney suggested to one witness’s attorney that he may be getting a harsher punishment because the witness spoke to the press, according to an email reviewed by POLITICO.
The IRS reviewed its policy last year and changed it after media reports about asset seizures. The agency will now typically ignore cases where the money doesn’t come from illegal sourcing, such as drug dealing, instead of seizing assets only on evidence of structuring.
* Yeah, well they’re still doing it, Roskam’s office says. And the IRS refuses to disclose to Congress or anyone else just exactly how many non-criminal asset seizures it does every year…
Structuring is “catching a lot of innocent people — a Mexican restaurant, a gas station, a dairy farmer,” [Roskam] said in his opening statement.
“Many people can’t afford a long, drawn-out fight, so they settle, handing over thousands of fairly earned dollars to the IRS — all without having done anything wrong,” Roskam said.
The IRS seized 147 accounts last year, Koskinen testified.
“In 60 percent of those cases, the owner of the asset never shows up, which shows that they obviously had a criminal activity going on.” [said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen] […]
Roskam said the IRS has too much power to seize assets, even if the agency doesn’t have adequate evidence of a crime.
“The IRS doesn’t have to give notice to the account-holder before seizing the assets. And the IRS doesn’t have to prove that the person is actually guilty of anything — just that the account probably is involved in structuring,” Roskam said.
So, in other words, in 40 percent of the cases, the asset owner shows up, which indicates that no criminal activity was “going on.”
After announcing a commission to scrutinize sentencing policy in Illinois, Rauner visited a prison: Logan Correctional Center, a women’s facility in Lincoln, about a half-hour north of Springfield.
It’s something his predecessor, former Gov. Pat Quinn, never did — even as an independent watchdog reported flooding, roof leaks and other problems with aging facilities.
Despite requests from activists, Quinn said he had a lot to do, and trusted his staff to manage the prisons.
I didn’t see this on the governor’s public schedule and the Lincoln Courier didn’t even have a story about the tour. That may be a good thing. He’s gathering info rather than seeking an easy press pop. The governor did tweet about it, though…
Very informative visit to Logan Correctional Center. Many problems to address. We have a lot of work to do pic.twitter.com/QDoHecuvzK
What: Governor Rauner Announces New Advisory Council on Innovation
Where: 1871
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212, Chicago
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Note: No Additional Media Availability
What: Governor Rauner Attends Grand Opening of New Health Tech Hub
Where: MATTER
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1230, Chicago
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Note: No Additional Media Availability
What: Governor Rauner Delivers Keynote Address at America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Where: Katten Muchin
525 W. Monroe, Suite 1900
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Note: No Additional Media Availability
What: Governor Rauner Signs Executive Order on Government Consolidation
Where: DuPage Water Commission
600 E. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 1:30 p.m.
I’m assuming this new EO forms yet another study commission. We’ll see.
* Meanwhile, this is a press release about the governor’s first stop today…
Governor Bruce Rauner visited 1871 today to announce the creation of the new Innovate Illinois Advisory Council, which he has formed to foster opportunity and increase Illinois’ global competitiveness. Following the announcement, Governor Rauner toured 1871’s 75,000-square-foot facility, held a roundtable discussion with startups from 1871 and MATTER, and visited the recently-opened MATTER space, which is immediately adjacent to 1871 in The Merchandise Mart.
“Illinois is home to a wealth of resources, including world-class educational institutions, leading national labs, 33 Fortune 500 companies, dozens of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, a vibrant culture, and an extensive transportation network,” Governor Rauner said. “Yet our state continues to fall behind. In the last ten years, the Boston Consulting Group estimates our lagging growth has cost Illinois more than 175 thousand jobs. This council will help us create and implement a shared vision for a 21st century economy that will turn Illinois into a global innovation destination.”
The council will be co-chaired by Laura Frerichs, director of the University of Illinois’ Research Park, and Mark Glennon, managing director of Ninth Street Advisors. 1871 will participate.
Governor Rauner has charged the council with developing an agenda to grow the state’s innovation economy, including developing high-growth industry clusters, attracting resources, developing and retaining top talent, and fostering collaboration among all the parties in the state’s technology and innovation community. The council will meet regularly to develop and facilitate the execution of key growth initiatives. It will work closely with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and will have a core mission of bringing new opportunities to the forefront on behalf of the community.
The Indiana Department of Transportation has formally suspended its work on developing the Illiana Expressway, pending a decision by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on whether to proceed with the project.
A letter from INDOT project manager James Earl released to state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, states Indiana will halt all Illiana Expressway work until the Rauner administration completes its review of the project.
On Jan. 12, Rauner froze spending on all major interstate construction projects managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, including the 40 miles of the Illiana Expressway planned for Illinois.
Just a year ago, the planned 48-mile bi-state toll road appeared to be barreling toward construction. But Rauner’s action and his appointment of a transportation chief who opposed the road have heartened opponents who want the project killed.
In a letter sent to those who live near the proposed toll road, James Earl, Illiana project manager at the Indiana Department of Transportation, said that while the department “remains committed” to the project, it can’t participate without Illinois, which would build the western stretch of the road between I-55 in Illinois and I-65 in Indiana.
Although construction “will be managed separately by each state,” Earl wrote, “the Illiana Corridor is still a project that requires both states to work together and maintain similar schedules. Given the recent decision by the state of Illinois, INDOT is temporarily suspending project development until the Rauner administration completes its review of the Illiana Corridor.”
The Rauner administration has given no indication how long that review will continue. But it already has lifted the freeze on a variety of Illinois Tollway projects, and Randy Blankenhorn, the governor’s secretary of transportation, was a vigorous opponent of making Illiana a priority in his previous capacity as executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
* Meanwhile, I heard last week that some folks who don’t want to see Blankenhorn run IDOT were shopping some oppo on him…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pick to run the state’s transportation agency was caught driving drunk more than a decade ago.
A spokesman for the governor said Randall Blankenhorn’s 2004 Sangamon County arrest has been disclosed to lawmakers and should not be considered an issue in his role overseeing the Illinois Department of Transportation and its anti-drunken-driving campaigns.
“Governor Rauner has full confidence in Randy Blankenhorn and knows he will be an effective secretary for the Department of Transportation,” wrote spokesman Lance Trover in an email Wednesday.
According to records reviewed by the Lee Enterprises Springfield bureau, Blankenhorn, 56, received court supervision after he failed a blood-alcohol breath test during a traffic stop in April 2004.
He paid for his decade-old mistake. If people want to oppose him over Illiana or his past support for cutting Downstate’s share of the Road Fund, fine. Otherwise, move the heck along.
Joint Statement from Illinois Early Childhood Advocates on Early Learning and the Child Care Funding Crisis
Governor Rauner pledged to “increase funding for early childhood education so that more at risk children can enter kindergarten ready to succeed” during his inaugural State of the State address.
We applaud this commitment to our state’s youngest and most vulnerable learners, and we look forward to seeing more details of the Governor’s early education plan in his Budget Address on February 18th.
The Governor also stated that “from cradle to career, our children’s education needs to be our top priority.” We could not agree more. For that reason, we call on Governor Rauner and the General Assembly to fully fund all aspects of early care and education — including child care.
High-quality, affordable child care is often the very first connection that young children have to an educational experience – in conjunction with, or even prior to, preschool. In addition to the work support it provides to parents and the economic impact it has on the state, child care is a critically-important step on a lifelong path of education.
To truly realize the Governor’s stated priority, the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program must be fully-funded – both to alleviate the $300 million funding crisis facing child care during this fiscal year and to ensure its viability in Illinois for the coming fiscal year. Now is the time for the Governor and the General Assembly to take bold and decisive action on behalf of Illinois’ children and families.
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois
Illinois Action for Children
Latino Policy Forum
The Ounce of Prevention Fund
ReadyNation Illinois
Voices for Illinois Children
The Ounce of Prevention Fund is, of course, headed by Mrs. Rauner.
* Thursday is a state holiday and I may or may not be back on Friday. I’m working on a subscriber story and I may be able to break it then. If not, I’ll be back Tuesday after President’s Day.
Illinois GOP Rep. Aaron Schock has launched his own review of tens of thousands of dollars in reimbursements he received for official use of his personal vehicle, following questions raised Tuesday about the practice.
Nearly every month since he’s been in Congress, the fourth-term Republican has received roughly $1,000 in “private auto mileage” reimbursements from his Member Representational Allowance. At the same time, he has chartered private jets on the taxpayers’ dime, incurring hefty, five-figure bills. And his campaign has shelled out upward of $50,000 for the use of his vehicle.
* The real question here is with the auto mileage, but the globe-trotting contributes to the issue. From April of 2014…
On April 6, he was in Las Vegas for the Academy Of Country Music Awards. He missed House votes the next day.
On April 19, he was in Hawaii, where a photographer posted on Instagram a shot of the chiseled Illinois Republican surfing off Waikiki Beach. He then jetted off to Asia for a six-day congressional delegation trip to China, South Korea and Japan. On April 28, he was back in New York, where he appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and Fox News.
Schock was also in Washington for 11 days that month, casting votes on the House floor.
Yet in April, Schock received a reimbursement for nearly $1,200 worth of mileage, amounting to approximately 2,100 miles on his personal vehicle. The same month, his aides received a total of $702 in reimbursements, which would equal 1,255 miles in driving.
“Congressman Schock and his team have a well-deserved reputation for constituent service,” the second statement from his office read. “This is due to extensive travel throughout the district which is 205 towns and 19 counties. The Congressman’s staff has access to his vehicle so it is used frequently when he is both in and out of the district. For example, this weekend over 800 miles were driven crisscrossing the district for events. Congressman Schock takes his compliance responsibilities seriously and procedures concerning this issue will be reviewed to determine whether they can improved.”
Schock may look urbane, but his district is most definitely rural. And I’ve run into him around that district, so I know he works it (I think the last time I saw him, he was filling his tank at a Springfield gas station). This may not be as bad as some East Coast writer thinks.
* The Question: I know it may be extremely difficult for some of you, but how about saying at least one nice thing about the governor? And no snark. Deletions will be swift.
* As slim as its paper has become, as bad as its website is, as weird as its gubernatorial endorsement was last year, and despite any run-ins I might’ve had with the higher-ups (all water under the bridge), I really don’t want to see Chicago become a one-paper town…
Chicago Sun-Times editorial employees voted unanimously [last night] to let their union pursue an agreement with the company that owns their newspaper that could lead to an exit of about a fifth of the staff.
Reporters and other newspaper staffers gathered in a downtown Holiday Inn hotel conference room and voted 28-0 in favor of offering the buyout to members, said Craig Rosenbaum, executive director of the Chicago Newspaper Guild. That union represents 73 editorial employees at the paper. He declined to provide details of the offer or the agreement with Wrapports, the Chicago-based parent of the newspaper.
Wrapports has been struggling to stem losses amid an industrywide decline in print advertising revenue that provides the bulk of income for newspapers. With a migration of readers to online and social media alternatives, advertisers have followed suit, leaving newspapers to search for new sources of revenue and to chop their budgets and staffs. […]
Employees in the top third of the seniority list could get 20 weeks of severance pay while those in the lower two-thirds would be eligible for 16 weeks, according to details of the offer obtained by Crain’s. Employees can negotiate individually for a higher rate of severance pay.
Wrapports released the following statement from Jim Kirk, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Sun-Times: “We’re glad the Guild members have voted to approve the voluntary buyout program as we realign our newsroom staffing levels in the wake of our recent sale of our suburban titles to Tribune Publishing. We have been going through this process throughout the organization as we work to solidify the future of the iconic Chicago Sun-Times newspaper and deliver strong, local stories to our readers. In working with the Guild, we hope to avoid layoffs. Over the coming days we will talk to interested employees and plan to have the process wrapped up no later than Feb. 17.” […]
The latest round of job cuts has been expected since Wrapports completed the sale of its 38 suburban newspapers to Tribune Publishing November 1. The move left Wrapports with only the Sun-Times and the Chicago Reader alternative weekly among its major holdings.
Felicia Middlebrooks of WBBM AM 780 and Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business have been named recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Chicago Headline Club.
The two will be honored at the 38th annual Peter Lisagor Awards ceremonies May 8 at the Union League Club of Chicago, according to Mary Wisniewski, president of the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. […]
The Chicago Headline Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes journalists for “their extraordinary contribution to the community and/or the profession.”
I don’t know Middlebrooks, but I’ve known Greg for what seems like forever. Congrats to my buddy.
Governor Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order 15-14 today, which establishes the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform.
The commission will examine the current criminal justice system and sentencing structure to develop comprehensive and evidence-based strategies to improve public safety. It will analyze all aspects of the current system from the initial arrest to re-entry into the community. Some areas the commission will specifically examine are ensuring there is uniformity in sentencing structure, sentencing practices, community supervision and the use of alternatives to prison.
“Illinois is in desperate need of criminal justice reform. Our prisons are overcapacity and too many offenders are returning to prison,” Gov. Rauner said. “We need to take a comprehensive, holistic approach to our justice system.”
The Department of Corrections (DOC) is operating at more than 150 percent of the inmates it was designed to house, which threatens the safety of inmates and staff. It also undermines the DOC’s ability to rehabilitate. Many of those inmates often return to prison; the recidivism rate in Illinois hovers around 50 percent.
* Gov. Rauner also said he believed that his predecessor’s early release program was mismanaged and expressed confidence that he could pull this off. He said Sen. Kwame Raoul and other legislators had agreed to serve on the commission. Raw audio…
Despite saying in December he was retiring after a 42-year career in prison work, the state’s top corrections official remains a contender to stay in his job.
Gov. Bruce Rauner said Wednesday that controversial Illinois Department of Corrections Director S.A. “Tony” Godinez is under consideration for the agency’s top post.
But, the new governor stopped short of giving the holdover from former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration his full support.
“We are in discussions with a number of potential leaders of our corrections system. Our current leadership certainly is in the mix,” Rauner told reporters during an event at the Sangamon County Courthouse.
* The federal Real ID Act, passed during the hysteria of the GWOT, is coming back to bite us in the wallet. The Daily Herald’s Jake Griffin fills us in…
Secretary of State Jesse White said it will cost millions of dollars for the state to meet the requirements of the 2005 Real ID Act that sets standards for creating and processing state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
“Currently, we do not require birth certificates,” said White spokesman Henry Haupt. “One factor under the Real ID Act would require us to verify birth certificates through the Electronic Verification of Vital Events system. That part of the program alone we estimate would cost $15 million over a four-year period.”
White’s office already has been granted two extensions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The second one runs out in mid-October.
But now, DHS has started enforcing compliance. The new driver’s licenses already are needed to gain access to some federal buildings, military installations and nuclear facilities. […]
White’s office has estimated the total price at $100 million to $150 million, mostly for equipment, staffing and data storage.
This past year was a milestone, both for Bruce and for the great state of Illinois. I can’t think of a better way to say “Happy Birthday” than by showing him how much his team, family, supporters, and friends have his back.
Will you join me? It’s quick and easy – all you have to do is click this link to sign the card. It’ll only take a minute, and it will mean a lot to him, and to me.
We’ve got an important year ahead of us, and Gov. Rauner has gotten it started on the right foot with fiscal discipline, bold decisions, and exactly the kind of leadership we expected when we voted for him.
I hope you’ll join me in showing our appreciation!
Thanks,
Tim Schneider
Chairman
Illinois Republican Party
P.S. – Here’s that link one more time: click here to wish Bruce Rauner a Happy Birthday. Thanks again – Tim.
I didn’t post the link because, frankly, I don’t trust y’all to be nice on that page. Tensions are a teeny bit high these days, after all.
You can express your fondest birthday wishes here in comments. However, make extra sure to follow our rules. If you’re deleted on this one, you’re also banned. Thanks.
Commissioner Chuy Garcia released a television spot this morning focused on the misplaced priorities of the Emanuel Administration. The title of the ad is simply, “Priorities.” The ad will start airing today on all the leading networks, including both Univision and Telemundo.
Filmed on location in the neighborhood where Garcia grew up, the ad documents his commitment to fundamentally change the priorities of the City – away from corporate give-aways and towards the issues that matter most to working families.
“Last night, at the final debate, we asked the Mayor once again to explain why he walked away from his promise to put 1,000 new police on the streets and chose instead to spend City resources helping big corporations,” said Commissioner Garcia. “He failed to answer last night, but as this ad makes clear, we will continue asking that simple question. The people of Chicago deserve an answer.”
The Garcia commercial was produced internally under guidance from senior media strategist, Don Rose.
Now, like many neighborhoods, it’s not safe. Chicago has had ten thousand shootings in the last four years. It’s got to stop.
I’m Chuy Garcia.
I’ll put one thousand new cops on the street and get the guns off.
The Mayor says we can’t afford more community police.
But, he’s given big corporations one hundred million dollars in tax breaks.
If there’s enough money to keep them happy, there ought to be enough to keep us safe.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Emanuel campaign responds with a novella…
The campaign for Rahm Emanuel released the following statement and facts about Chuy Garcia’s misleading attack ad.
“It’s sad that Chuy chose to go negative in his first commercial. Instead of offering Chicagoans a concrete plan to keep creating jobs, improving our graduation rates and reducing violence, Chuy resorted to the same failed politics that drove Chicago to the brink.”
Garcia’s attack ad has numerous problems, especially his claim that Rahm gave away $100 million in corporate tax breaks – which is both untrue and unsupported – and Garcia’s refusal to acknowledge the fact that Chicago taxpayers are still paying the $80 million in higher property taxes that he voted for as alderman, imposing the largest property tax increase in Chicago history. In addition, Garcia didn’t answer Mayor Emanuel’s question at last night’s debate about why he collected an illegal property tax break for eight years.
Maybe Chuy should explain his vision instead of attacking.
Here are the facts:
FACT: Rahm ended more than $45 million in corporate tax giveaways.
Since taking office, Rahm has closed tax loopholes for cable companies, luxury skyboxes at sporting events, and airlines and other companies that used to get tax breaks for buying gasoline and other items in the suburbs.
FACT: Chicago does not provide tax credits to corporations.
Garcia is simply wrong on the facts. The City does not provide tax credits to companies.
FACT: Garcia voted for to give Motorola $5 million in tax credits and $30 million in infrastructure improvements.
When Motorola was considering moving, Garcia voted for a package to give Motorola a “special tax break” worth $5 million in tax credits and $30 million in infrastructure.
Package to Keep Motorola in IL Included Tens of Millions: “In the end, this is the financial package to which state and Motorola officials agreed: $30 million in infrastructure improvements, $5 million in tax credits and exemptions and $1 million in job training assistance in the form of a grant. State agency officials are unsure exactly how those funds will be used.” [Chicago Tribune, 04/20/1994]
Senate President Philip Described the Package as a “special tax break” on the floor. “May I have your attention, please. I — with leave, I’d like to go to 3rd Reading to pick up — to pass two bills today. The first bill is 1191, which deals with a special tax break for Motorola we need to do, so that hopefully we’ll keep Motorola in Illinois.” [Illinois State Senate Floor Transcript 3/30/94, Pg. 4]
Garcia voted in favor of Senate Bill no. 1191. [Senate Journal 1994, vol 1, 3/30/94, page 432]
FACT: Chicago taxpayers are still paying the $80 million in higher property taxes that Chuy voted for as alderman, imposing the largest property tax increase in Chicago history.
Garcia Voted for the Largest Property Tax Hike in Chicago History: Garcia voted for the Evans motion, which increased property taxes $79,928,811. [Chicago City Council Journal of Proceedings, 9/24/86, Pg. 34106, Passed 26-24]
In 2014 dollars, that is a $173 million property tax hike. [BLS Inflation Calculator]
FACT: Rahm has gone toe-to-toe with the NRA and worked on commonsense gun control for decades, earning him the support of local and national gun control advocates.
When the local Gun Prevention PAC endorsed Rahm this week, the group’s Executive Director Kathleen Sances said: “Rahm is the only candidate with a 20-year record of taking on the NRA, passing meaningful gun legislation and putting together a plan to reduce gun violence in all our neighborhoods. It was an easy decision for us – Rahm has worked for his entire career to reduce gun violence, and he’s been at the forefront of some of our biggest victories, a steadfast ally as we to push for change, and an innovator who overcomes obstacles.”
FACT: Crime rates in Little Village have fallen.
In his ad, Garcia implies that crime in Little Village has gotten worse. Garcia’s claim is at odds with his public remarks that crime in Little Village has fallen. Though much work remains to be done, crime has dropped in Little Village over the past four years. In 2014 compared to 2010, Little Village experienced a 25 percent drop in overall crime and a 23 percent drop in serious index crimes that include offenses like assault, battery and rape. Rahm will continue his focus on community policing and expanding summer jobs and after school opportunities in Little Village and neighborhoods across the city.
FACT: The Emanuel administration led a return to community policing, put more officers in high crime areas, increased investments in prevention programming and built trust with community leaders and residents.
Developing higher levels of trust between communities and police has been a major priority for this administration. Soon after taking office, Rahm moved community policing staff and resources from the headquarters to police districts – where they belong. CPD created and implemented training for police officers to teach fairness and respect – also called “procedural justice.” To date, more than 10,000 Chicago police personnel have completed this training. By the summer of 2015, CPD will double the size of its bike patrols from 200 to 400, allowing for a more direct connection between officers and the communities they serve. And this year CPD will launch a body camera pilot that will start in the 14th police district. In other cities, patrol officers’ use of body cameras has been associated with a nearly 60 percent reduction in use of force and an 80 percent reduction in complaints filed against officers. These efforts in Chicago build upon a life of supporting community policing, starting with his successful push on behalf of President Clinton to pass the COPS initiative in 1994, which put 100,000 additional cops on the street to engage in community policing.
FACT: Garcia has no plan to pay for additional police officers and even opposed hiring additional police officers as alderman.
First, Garcia has been widely criticized for failing to offer a realistic plan to pay for adding additional patrol officers on the street. Additionally, when Garcia was on the City Council, he actually claimed that “knee-jerk” calls to add more police officers won’t solve the problem of gang violence.
In Endorsing Rahm, Chicago Tribune Questioned How Opponents Would Make the ‘Math Work’: “Yet all four challengers are talking about making these holes deeper. How would they make the math work? […] The not-Rahm candidates are reluctant to offer genuine answers for all of that.” [Chicago Tribune, 2/6/15]
Garcia Blasts “Knee-jerk” Call for “More Police”: “The city agency created to steer youngsters away from street gang violence should be abolished and its $5 million budget spent on putting more police officers into neighborhoods plagued by gang crime, Ald. Juan Soliz (25th) said Thursday. In calling for the elimination of the Chicago Intervention Network, Soliz said, ‘They’re totally invisible, and they’re not part of a constructive effort to solve gang crime in Chicago. We need gang specialists who can go in with arrest power.’ Chicago Intervention Network director Robert Martin, Police Supt. LeRoy Martin, and Ald. Jesus Garcia (22d), immediately challenged Soliz’s remarks. Garcia dismissed the idea as “a knee-jerk” reaction to gang violence.” [Chicago Tribune, 9/9/88]
Garcia Voted to Close 209 Vacant Police Jobs:
Garcia voted for the 1993 Budget [Chicago City Council Journal of Proceedings, 12/15/92, 26808, Passed 33-9]
“Chicagoans face a $ 28.7 million property tax increase next year and higher taxes on soda pop and tickets to entertainment events under a budget compromise approved Tuesday that also eliminates 209 vacant police jobs.” [Chicago Sun Times, 12/16/92]
FACT: The vast majority of TIF funds – almost 75 percent – are used for schools, libraries, parks, transportation and neighborhood improvements.
The City has rejected TIF proposals from nearly every big corporation that has asked for public support and have instead used TIF to bring companies like Method to Pullman, Coyote Logistics to Logan Square and Whole Foods to Englewood. Rahm has used TIF to support public projects including new libraries in Chinatown, Albany Park, and at Back of the Yards High School, a new El station near McCormick Place on Cermak, and at our schools including new classrooms at Coonley Elementary school, new pre-K classrooms and a parent resource center at Burke Elementary, and a new athletic field at Benito Juarez Academy.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Garcia campaign…
Dear, Mr. Mayor: where are the 1,000 police you promised?
“Mayor Emanuel again demonstrated today just how out of touch he is with the reality facing many Chicago neighborhoods. Last night and again in our television advertisement, we posed a simple question to the Mayor: where are the 1,000 new police you promised? Voters are still waiting for an answer. The one thing that will do absolutely nothing to make anyone safer is a 1,387-word press release attack from the mayor’s henchman,” said campaign manager Andrew Sharp.
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
While the state budget crisis increasingly hits struggling Illinois families, Exelon demands a corporate bailout. This is exactly the wrong thing for Illinois’ citizens and businesses.
Exelon is a successful, profitable company and while we appreciate success, when they claim they need more of OUR MONEY, it’s time to be skeptical.
EXELON SECOND QUARTER 2014 PROFITS: $557 MILLION
Sounds like Exelon had a pretty good second quarter! This for-profit company that seeks a bailout from struggling Illinois ratepayers made more than:
SIX MILLION DOLLARS A DAY or $252,000 AN HOUR
Tune in every day this week to find out how well Exelon did the rest of the year, culminating with their 2014 earnings on Friday.
* As I told subscribers today, Kurt Erickson has a pretty funny piece about asking Republican legislators to comment on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s right to work actions…
“Whether I agree with it or not is not the right question,” [Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island] said.
Asked again for his position on Rauner’s maneuver, the freshman lawmaker said, “I am a union fireman and I believe in collective bargaining.”
Anderson’s position sums up the political tightrope Rauner is asking his fellow Republicans to walk. While he wants their support as he takes on a Legislature dominated by Democrats, they must also be mindful that Illinois remains a state where labor unions wield power.
Some lawmakers simply didn’t return telephone messages Tuesday, including freshman Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, who recently stepped down from IDOC, where she was food service manager at facilities in Pinckneyville and Du Quoin. A spokesman for Bryant said she was unavailable to comment on this topic, and multiple calls to her went unreturned. […]
Asked if he supports the governor’s move, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, did not answer “yes” or “no.”
Rather, he said, “I don’t disagree with it.”
You will recall that Brady actually ran for governor on a right to work platform in 2010. He backed away from that position last year.
Rauner visited Lanphier High School, where he took questions from the students, mainly about the economy, education and how he came to be governor.
Many of the students who asked questions said they were pleased with the answers, but two said they were not.
Austin Duffie, a 17-year-old junior, wanted to know how the governor would simultaneously lower taxes while raising education funding, something he’s promised since his campaign.
“Even though we’ve got a financial crisis and some departments and some services are going to have to be cut – because we don’t have the money today for them – I’m going to increase education funding,” Rauner said in his answer to Duffie.
* But when Gov. Rauner talks about increasing spending on pre-K-12 programs, it might not be the usual suspects getting more money. Instead, think about things like charter schools…
The governor was received like a superstar as he spoke to a gymnasium packed with students Tuesday morning at Robertson Charter School. With a background setting of cheerleaders and signs welcoming him, Rauner reiterated his support for education and charter schools in Illinois, adding Robertson was the perfect example of why a charter school can be a great thing for the community.
“I want to make sure your parents have good choices and options for where to send you to school,” he said. “I want parents empowered with school choice, and I want schools like Robertson to be fully funded.” […]
The kindness for the students, as well as the support for charter schools, went a long way with Robertson Principal Cordell Ingram.
With that support, Ingram said he is hopeful that Rauner can help charter schools, especially the handful that exist outside the Chicago area, achieve greater success, and possibly more financial stability.
* From our revered commenter RNUG (aka Retired Non-Union Guy)…
I was chatting with a friend the other night who has a bit of insight into how judges tend to think. We were kicking around what we think the Illinois Supreme Court might do on SB-1 and came up with three plausible scenarios.
1) The Supreme Court rules that the pension clause means what it says, period, and the pension is not subject to a “police powers” claim.
2) The Supreme Court rules that the pension clause could be subject to a “police powers” claim if a “fiscal emergency” was clearly demonstrated but, based on the bill itself only negating one class of Illinois debt (the pensions), was found that no “fiscal emergency” existed to make the claim.
3) The Supreme Court rules that the pension clause could be subject to a “police powers” claim if a “fiscal emergency” was clearly demonstrated but the court, based on the information presented in the appeal, was unable to determine if a “fiscal emergency” exists and remands it to the originating court to determine if a “fiscal emergency” as defined in the “reserved sovereign powers act” actually exists.
I think we get #2 but my friend, who argues persuasively that judges avoid a decision whenever possible, favors #3.
It’s all speculation, of course, but what are your own thoughts about RNUG’s e-mail?
