* I’ve been hearing this week that some folks are talking behind the scenes of having the four leaders and the governor make some statements on November 18th, then convene a private meeting and talk to reporters afterward.
So, this letter may be an attempt to give the leaders some political cover…
Dear Leaders:
As you know, business and labor this week announced an agreement on unemployment insurance reform. This agreement took months of negotiations behind the scenes with the good offices and direct participation provided by the Department of Employment Security, the Governor’s Office, and representatives of the four legislative caucuses.
In the end, we reached an agreement without fanfare or media spectacle. It’s a lesson that we hope can be applied to the upcoming meeting between the Governor and the four leaders on November 18th.
If our state is to move forward - with structural economic reforms and a balanced budget - we need this meeting and many more after it to be sincere and constructive. Frank and unfiltered discussion between principles is essential to the success of any good-faith negotiation. While the spectacle of a publicly broadcast meeting may be appealing to some, we believe that such an event could become pure political theater — counterproductive to progress and a sure way to keep this impasse going.
On behalf of the employers our various organizations represent, we urge all parties to conduct a private, frank discussion that fosters dialogue and builds confidence in a process to end this months-long impasse by enacting economic reforms alongside a balanced budget.
Sincerely,
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA)
Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA)
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA)
According to Matt Fabian at Municipal Market Analytics, a research firm, the stand-off is unprecedented because of the complete intransigence of both sides. For the market, the biggest problem is the unbalanced budget. Illinois is spending as if it were still taking in last year’s revenue when the income-tax rate was at 5% rather than this year’s 3.75%.
If Illinois had kept its income-tax rate at last year’s level its budget would be more or less balanced and its most immediate problem solved. But it is too late now, even if Mr Rauner were to agree to go back to a flat rate of 5%, which is still lower than rates in many other states. Illinois had reasonable economic growth even with the 5% rate, says Mr Fabian, who thinks that Illinois’s financial woes are “correctable”. The state’s population is not leaving in droves, Chicago is a handsome city that attracts talent and the economy is in decent shape.
The state could get back on its feet relatively quickly—but first it needs a budget.
Let me be very clear about what would have happened without a deal in place — what would have happened had the House or Senate passed SB 570. Child care income-eligibility would have stayed at 50 percent of the federal poverty level for at least another 60 days as we waited for the governor to veto the bill.
Countless working moms and dads would have quit their jobs and dropped out of school.
Countless child care providers would have gone out of business — leaving parents without child care options even if the legislature eventually overrode the governor’s veto in January. Letting that happen would mean breaking my promise to my constituents.
To be clear: a vote for SB 570, after the deal was struck, was a vote to slash child care and deny access to tens of thousands of families.
* He’s right.
And that’s part of why so many Democrats are so extremely upset about this process.
The governor would have protected his rulemaking ability on the Child Care Assistance Program by slow-walking a veto for 60 days while providers went out of business and parents had to choose between work and welfare.
That’s pretty darned heartless, if you ask me.
* But Dunkin’s also right that this was a decent compromise. Sen. Toi Hutchinson and Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth got a good deal out of Rauner.
Will the governor renege? Time will tell, but people have to start learning to trust each other or nothing will get done for the next three years, or seven if Rauner is reelected.
* The most infuriating aspect to this story for many is the involvement of Rep. Dunkin, who has a better reputation for his taste in clothes than his legislative abilities. I get it. Totally.
But take Dunkin out of the equation for a moment. What if a respected state legislator was saying things like this?…
“What’s wrong with negotiating with each other whether you’re Republican or Democrat? It makes no difference. People want to see functionable government,”
“They should be talking, and that’s part of the problem. That’s the real issue here,” Dunkin said. “Leaders are not talking with each other. They haven’t talked since May, as I understand it. That’s insane. And so they want to vilify me, for what?”
Is he self-serving? Yep. Disingenuous? I’m pretty sure he is.
But is he really that wrong? I mean, most people say those very same things right here in comments every single day.
* The deal cut with Rauner was the governor would agree to roll back most of the cuts in exchange for the childcare bill not moving. That sort of deal happens all the freaking time. The difference is that Speaker Madigan is the one who always signs off on those deals. This time he didn’t. Lots of people don’t like that.
But times have changed. And even if Dunkin loses his Democratic primary next March he’ll still be in office until January of 2017. Are y’all really willing to wait that long for a resolution to this mess or are you finally willing to move ahead and find a way to end this insanity?
That last sentence will serve as today’s question.
As previously reported, we had success in achieving House passage of HB 4305 on Tuesday. This bill allows for the release of several local funds (MFT, casino gaming, video gaming, 9-1-1 funds, etc.) being held by the state. Following the overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House, a procedural hold was placed on the bill by Representative Currie, perhaps at the behest of Speaker Madigan.
Yesterday and today, Brad received direct assurances that there is bipartisan support for HB 4305 in the Senate, but the Senate cannot consider the bill until the procedural hold imposed in the House is lifted.
It is important that mayors contact Representative Currie’s Office and respectfully request that the procedural hold be lifted from HB 4305 so that the Senate can vote on this important legislation. Representative Currie’s district office number is (773) 667-0550. Messages intended for Representative Currie’s Springfield office can be conveyed by calling (217) 782-5350.
The danger here for the House Democrats is that the mayors turn on them for bricking their bill.
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, told me that during a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting earlier Tuesday the Senate Democrats decided they wanted to amend the bill to include natural gas revenue that was withheld by the state and that’s normally used for emergency heating assistance for poor people.
Cunningham said it’s his understanding the plan is to have the House reconsider its vote, with the amendments, in early December and have the Senate convene immediately thereafter. […]
Cunningham said he assumed that’s why Currie placed the motion to reconsider on the bill.
State Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, the assistant House majority leader, told me Currie’s motion was just a parliamentary tactic to prevent anyone else from “putting a brick” on the bill that would stop it from being approved.
“It’s a tactic to prevent anyone else from coming in and stopping the measure,” Riley said. “Nothing more.”
I don’t think Cunningham is right because I can’t find anything in the House rules or with the people I’ve consulted that allows for new amendments on House bills that have passed on 3rd Reading. Plus, the Senate could simply add an amendment of its own.
…Adding… A former House parliamentarian disagrees…
If the motion to reconsider passes, the bill is then put back on the order of 3rd, and then can be brought back to 2nd for an amendment
I defer.
…Adding More…. A second former House parliamentarian says they can move it back to 2nd as well. So, I totally defer.
And Riley’s explanation is kinda interesting, since filing that motion is, in fact, a “brick” on the bill. Are they worried that somebody’s gonna billjack the Speaker?
…Adding… From a usually insightful and knowledgeable commenter…
The motion was filed to protect Ken Dunkin from filing a similar motion first, and having control of the bill. The motion to reconsider, IMHO, has nothing to do with the Senate.
That makes some sense.
…Adding More… A rebuttal in comments which also makes sense…
If it was really intended to simply block another Representative from hijacking the bill with a motion to reconsider, she would have immediately moved to table her motion. That would have prevented a hijacking and prevented a delay in sending to the Senate.
* So far, the good government groups haven’t heard anything back from the governor. I asked the administration for a response and was told “No comment.” Emphasis in original…
November 10, 2015
Hon. Bruce Rauner, Governor
State of Illinois
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Dear Governor Rauner:
We thank you for your response to the letter we sent you and the four Illinois legislative leaders on October 20, 2015 regarding the state budget impasse. We appreciate your willingness to meet, but would like clarification on a few items:
You stated that the date of Wednesday, November 18th from 9:30 - Noon was available for a meeting, and the legislative leaders agreed. While the time is mutually accepted, the location remains unclear. Will you be hosting in Springfield or Chicago?
Also included in your response was a reference to “appropriate media access (fully open, pooled press, streamed online, etc.)” to be determined. What direct access will be provided to the media, and who will broadcast or live stream the event?
You also indicated that you would circulate an agenda prior to the meeting. The reform organizations listed below urge that you seek input on the agenda from all parties participating in the budget discussion. To our knowledge, there has not yet been outreach on the agenda to the legislative leaders. We hope you will be responsive to this request. We believe the meeting can be productive and worthwhile if all participants contribute to the agenda.
We stand ready to assist in a truly bipartisan manner. We are confident that all involved want to ensure that Illinois provides a viable, strong future for everyone in our state.
We appreciate your crucial role as convener in this process and hope the November 18th meeting will produce real progress.
Sincerely,
Hon. Susan Garrett
Board Chair, ICPR
Mary Kubasak
President, League of Women Voters of Illinois
Hoy McConnell
Executive Director, BPI
Maryam Judar
Executive Director, Citizen Advocacy Center
Abe Scarr
Director, Illinois PIRG
Andy Shaw
President and CEO, Better Government Association
George Ranney
Chair, CHANGE Illinois
Brooke Wiseman
President, Union League Club of Chicago
CC: Hon. Michael J. Madigan, Hon. Jim Durkin, Hon. John J. Cullerton, Hon. Christine Radogno
Speaker Madigan told reporters Tuesday that he hadn’t yet seen an agenda, either.
* Meanwhile, I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you…
Could a budget deal be on the way, after a five month impasse between GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and members of the Democratic-led legislature?
Top operatives on both sides say discussions are finally progressing, though House Speaker Michael Madigan and Rauner aren’t singing Kumbaya just yet. Some Democrats believe that Rauner’s compromise to ease eligibility rules for child care assistance might have sent a message that he could be willing to cut a deal.
I just checked with some folks and they have no idea where this came from. But, hey, keep hope alive.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Last week, The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) and a group of reform and civic organizations urged the Governor and legislative leaders to meet to end the Illinois budget crisis. Now, less than one week prior to the agreed meeting date of November 18th, details of the meeting remain unclear.
ICPR Board Chair Susan Garrett explains, “Now, more than ever, we need clarity and a commitment to resolve our budget impasse.”
“He let the people down as well as the Democratic Party,” said Andre Smith, a democratic candidate who has set out to challenge Dunkin.
Activist Smith has noted Dunkin’s independence and has already launched a democratic primary campaign to unseat the seven-term incumbent.
“Ken Dunkin, he makes backroom deals and he’s an undercover Republican,” Smith said.
“I wasn’t sent down there to be a Democrat, to be a Republican. I was sent down there to serve the people of my district and throughout the state,” Dunkin said.
* I quickly skimmed several text messages from Smith for my post yesterday, but re-read them again this morning and realized that I’d missed something important. See if you can spot it…
Great it seems that everyone in the 5th District want Ken Dunkin out I’m getting a lot of major support in endorsements I officially will be making my announcement to the media today and tomorrow that I am officially in the race to run in to defeat King Rauner and Queen Dunkin The 5TH District will not only get there vote back therefore King GovRauner and Queen st rep Dunkin wrote a check that they can’t cash insufficient funds They must go….
Juliana Stratton, a former top aide to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, has surfaced as a possible Dunkin primary challenger, a source tells Illinois Playbook
After the Mississippi River flooded four years ago, more than 100 Illinois families agreed – some reluctantly – to sell their homes to the government for demolition so they could move to higher ground.
With the paperwork finally coming together last spring on a partial state match for the buyouts of 111 properties, many owners signed contracts on new homes and started packing boxes. Then Illinois lawmakers hit an impasse on a state budget, which may not get solved until next year, leaving the transactions in limbo.
“We want to move on and get out of this mess, and we can’t do anything,” said Vella Friedman, 68, of Olive Branch, a tiny community that was among the hardest hit. […]
The program is just one of many caught up in the fight between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrats who run the General Assembly over the budget and the new governor’s pro-business agenda. While the standoff continues, state agencies do not have full authority to spend money. […]
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly pinned blame on Democrats, saying the state can’t make the payments “because the majority party failed to pass a balanced budget.”
I’m told that traffic signals, roadway lighting, pump stations, rest areas and IDOT maintenance yards are affected.
A source in the governor’s office noted this morning that if Speaker Madigan had compromised on the appropriations bill that was passed on Tuesday “this would not be a problem.”
Christopher Hicks, who is challenging Republican state Rep. Avery Bourne in the primary for the 95th House District seat next spring, says he’s staying in the race even though he was encouraged to drop his bid.
Hicks, 29, of Sawyerville, said he got a call Oct. 16 from Joe Woodward, the political director of the House Republican Organization.
“He indicated that the Republican Party would appreciate it if I would take the opportunity to reflect upon my candidacy and drop out,” Hicks said. […]
Hicks said he discussed the issue with his campaign manager — Chad Grimm of Peoria, who incidentally was Libertarian candidate for governor in 2014 — and solidified that he is staying in the race.
“Why would I even consider dropping out to support someone that I’m opposing at this time?” Hicks said. “I think this just shows the dirty politics they’re willing to play. Obviously, they want her in there for some reason. But whatever their reason is, they’re going to have to go through me to get there.”
So the guy managing his campaign is the guy whose campaign was helped onto the ballot and funded by unions last year in a deliberate attempt to siphon votes away from Bruce Rauner and he’s upset that the Republicans don’t want him?
I heard from both sides that a telephone conversation between Hicks and Christian County GOP Chairman Seth McMillan didn’t go well when McMillan said his central committee is backing Bourne in the March primary. McMillan said Hicks was “confrontational,” which Hicks denies, saying it was McMillan who raised his voice.
“Maybe we both raised our voices,” McMillan said, adding that he hung up on Hicks.
But in an email to me about the situation, Hicks also wrote this: “Joe Woodward and the HRO are trying to run the Republican Party like a Nazi cult. If Avery Bourne does not disassociate herself from the HRO and Joe Woodward this election, she might as well start wearing the HRO swastika on her sleeve.”
Woodward responded, “Mr. Hicks’ comments and choice of words are disrespectful, saddening and extremely unfortunate.”
Thursday, Nov 12, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
During a recent summit convened by the White House on the importance of nuclear energy to addressing climate change, the EPA’s top air official encouraged action at the state level to preserve existing nuclear energy facilities.
Janet McCabe who heads the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation stated that:
• “The Clean Power Plan is not all-powerful . . . . [w]e can’t, on our own, through this policy, change the trajectory for power plants that are affected by many, many factors.
• It is clear that if a . . . nuclear plant closes down, that is zero carbon generation that a state will need to accommodate in its plan. That’s definitely an incentive built in to keep those clean resources going.
• [S]tates can choose policies that incentivize those activities . . . .”
Illinois Policymakers need to act to preserve its leading source of zero carbon generation.
According to a State of Illinois report, the premature closure of at-risk plants in Illinois would have severe consequences for Illinois carbon emissions at a cost of up to $1.1 billion per year.
We need policy reforms like the Low Carbon Portfolio Standard that properly recognize and value the significant amount of carbon-free electricity that comes from Illinois’ nuclear fleet to level the playing field for all forms of clean energy and best position our state to meet EPA’s new carbon reduction rules.
* Rep. Ken Dunkin made the Chicago media rounds yesterday. ABC 7…
“I am not a puppet for Mike Madigan, for the governor. I work for the citizens of this district and across the state,” he said. […]
“The facts are people are sick and tired of us down in Springfield who are under the thumb of Mike Madigan,” Dunkin said. […]
“We should be celebrating the fact that children can now go back to daycare,” Dunkin said. […]
“What’s wrong with negotiating with each other whether you’re Republican or Democrat? It makes no difference. People want to see functionable government,” Dunkin said.
Dunkin says he’s not the only democratic lawmaker who wants an end to partisan politics. The others, he says, are afraid to speak out - intimidated by party leadership.
Dunkin described a nearly two-hour caucus prior to the session as “intense” and “the most animated and raucous caucus in quite some time.”
Dunkin said he told House Democrats to trust Rauner and his agreement to restore funding. […]
“I don’t have a dispute with the speaker. I don’t have a problem with the speaker. I just don’t work for him,” Dunkin said. […]
“I am strongly against trying to dismantle the unions. People should have a right to unionize,” Dunkin said, adding he would have voted for the no strike bill if he had been in town. […]
“I think I am coming to terms with [Gov. Bruce Rauner] being able to listen to reason. He’s tenacious. I’m tenacious. I’m insistent. I’m passionate about doing what I need to do for our citizen in the state,” Dunkin said. “We have to, all of us, come up with a relationship, at least a professional relationship to get something done.”
Dunkin stopped by the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday to explain why most reasonable would be the proper interpretation of his decision to be the only member of his party not to oppose Gov. Bruce Rauner on two key votes in Springfield this week.
But not before he fretted over whether he should change his fashionable paisley tie for our videographer. […]
Restoring the child care subsidies immediately was more important than “teaching the governor a lesson,” said Dunkin, arguing the bills should never have been called to a vote by House Speaker Mike Madigan. […]
“What is that [Madigan] has offered up or is willing to compromise immediately with this governor?” Dunkin said.
“Part of the compromise that politicians do is we make deals to move forward,” Dunkin said in an interview Wednesday with the Chicago Tribune. “What was successful about this here, by not embarrassing him or really being provocative or being sort of vindictive towards him, was he immediately did an about-face.” […]
“There was no need for the bill to be run, other than to be vindictive towards (Rauner),” Dunkin said. “We reached an agreement where he would restore the program to some semblance of what it was before July 1. And he did that, and the sponsors agreed to it. So how is that a loss?” […]
“I’m down there to not be some robotic Democrat,” Dunkin said. “I’m down there to be a person to work with Republicans, to work with Democrats.” […]
“They should be talking, and that’s part of the problem. That’s the real issue here,” Dunkin said. “Leaders are not talking with each other. They haven’t talked since May, as I understand it. That’s insane. And so they want to vilify me, for what?”
“It was a tremendous win. Keep in mind: The governor required a family of two to make $650 a month. Now they can make up to $2,400 a month. He restored the eligibility up to about 85 percent, compared to where it was over the last four months, of nothing, pretty much. So now we’re looking at about 100,000 kids able to go to a safe and qualified child care provider. Providers are happy, and parents are happy.” […]
“It was a tremendous win. Keep in mind: The governor required a family of two to make $650 a month. Now they can make up to $2,400 a month. He restored the eligibility up to about 85 percent, compared to where it was over the last four months, of nothing, pretty much. So now we’re looking at about 100,000 kids able to go to a safe and qualified child care provider. Providers are happy, and parents are happy.” […]
“I’ve worked with Mike Madigan for quite some time now. Sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s warm, sometimes it’s cold. But guess what? I’m not down there to make sure that Mike Madigan is happy for Ken Dunkin. I’m down there to do a job for the constituents that I took the oath of office for and to serve them well, as well as throughout the state.” […]
“What this compromise proved is that the governor is willing to work with us, and if I can penetrate the governor’s stoic approach towards him reforming government and get him to fund child care at 85 percent–and at 100 percent next year, when we get our act together with a real budget–and to have him do an about-face with the determination of need, that’s a gateway to a successful budget negotiation, pension negotiation, education negotiation. I should be, as members are, ecstatic that this governor is willing to work with us.”
Sneed is told by top GOP sources Dunkin called Republican heavyweights Tuesday seeking assurance the Republicans were united against the bill – and that no one was going to flip — or he’d be up a certain creek.
• The buckshot: It’s called the creek of no return.
* Du Quoin’s mayor is buying the state a thousand gallons of diesel fuel…
With fuel supplies running low, the city of Du Quoin, Illinois, says it will pick up the tab for the state’s diesel bill to keep the doors open at the Du Quoin State Fair Grounds.
“The fairgrounds bring a ton of tourism to Du Quoin,” said Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi.
Over the weekend, Alongi found out that four upcoming events at the arena could be cut because the fairgrounds fuel supplier had shut off the supply of diesel due to the budget impasse. […]
“With those four events, we’re looking at $8,000- to $10,000-worth of sales tax and bed tax coming back to the city,” said Alongi. “If I can help it, I’m not going to let the state hold us hostage as far as our tourism dollars. I thought this was stepping up to the plate and getting the job done.”
* Rep. Ken Dunkin was asked by the Tribune if the governor made him any promises in exchange for helping him out this week…
Dunkin said his deal with Rauner did not involve a promise of any help in the campaign ahead, but he did get something out of the transaction: Rauner agreed to start processing approvals for lucrative tax credits for filmmakers, which the administration had put on hold during the budget impasse. That program has been a pet project for Dunkin, whose district runs along Michigan Avenue from the Near North Side to Grand Crossing and covers a number of popular TV and movie set locations. Rauner’s team announced the decision on the tax credits Tuesday afternoon.
“He knew I wanted that,” Dunkin said. “So that’s the gain, me gaining a level of respect and him listening to what it is that I believe in.”
Yes, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office in the fiscally plagued state said today that it is re-instituting the lucrative Film Tax Credit because of “economically responsible compromises” with Democrats in Springfield. But, in what one industry source called a “confusing” announcement, the GOP governor also said that “film tax credits for new projects will still not be certified or able to be claimed until an FY16 budget is enacted.” He added, “These changes will allow the Administration to better recruit new investment to Illinois without impacting the budget.”
So the state has lifted its indefinite deferral enacted in June and now is taking applications for the up-to-30% tax credits Illinois offers on qualified expenditures there. However, while the state will honor the credit, nothing will be given out until a budget is passed in Illinois, a source close to the state Department of Commerce told Deadline. Productions in Illinois, like other states with film and TV tax credits, commonly have to wait until principal photography is finished or sometimes up to 18 months before it can submit its receipts to be paid out its allocated credit.
While Fox’s long-previously-approved Empire and NBC’s upcoming Chicago Med — which got a spinoff approval after the deferral was in place — look good, this latest move presents a degree of uncertainty for studios and networks considering bringing their projects to Illinois, at least on paper. If, in a year or more, Illinois finds itself in the unlikely place of not having passed a budget, then nobody’s getting nuthin’. On the other hand, an industry source says they have been unequivocally assured that productions will be paid out by the Prairie State whether or not there is a budget in place at the time. Now if this sounds like classic politics in the Land of Lincoln and Lucious Lyon, let’s remember that this is a state that has been handing out IOUs to state lottery winners the past few months.
For the record, Dunkin denied there’s anything in this for him other than the satisfaction of knowing those parents will be able to keep their children in day care.
Work on Carbondale’s Super Splash Park Outdoor Aquatic Center may be close to resuming.
Carbondale Park District officials will hold a press conference Thursday to announce that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has lifted the suspension of state grant funding for the project.
“The suspension has been lifted,” Park District Executive Director Kathy Renfro said Tuesday. […]
In March, IDNR informed the Park District that it was suspending its grant funding for the project at the order of Gov. Bruce Rauner. The pool, located at the Superblock, had been scheduled to open at the beginning of last summer.
A new park planned as a gateway into North Central College is not likely to become part of the view from downtown Naperville in the coming year.
Construction once was planned to start last August, but the site of the future North Central College Washington Street Riverwalk Park now serves as a temporary parking lot. Its development is on hold while most of the state funds needed to pay for it remain in limbo in Springfield.
A $1.1 million grant for the park’s development, announced by former Gov. Pat Quinn in October 2014, was suspended in June by now Gov. Bruce Rauner, who cited the looming state budget stalemate as reason to withhold the funds.
