Report: LaHood raised $500K in five weeks
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Roll Call…
Illinois state Sen. Darin LaHood raised more than $500,000 in five weeks since entering the special election to replace Republican Aaron Schock, according to figures provided first to CQ Roll Call.
LaHood, the son of former Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood, faces a Republican primary against Mike Flynn, an editor of the conservative website Breitbart News. LaHood touted the haul in an early show of strength, with the pre-primary fundraising reporting deadline still seven weeks away.
“I’m deeply humbled by the outpouring of support from conservative leaders and families throughout Central Illinois,” LaHood said in a statement. “We’re ready to fight for term limits, less debt, repealing ObamaCare, and ethics reform.”
The Peoria-based 18th District is heavily Republican territory. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried it with 61 percent in 2012.
* Meanwhile, Mike Flynn sat for a recent interview…
Flynn said conservatism to him is having a humility about what government can accomplish.
“The government should be there to enforce contracts and the roads and the common things we can’t do individually and then just get out of the way,” Flynn said. “and let people live their lives, raise their family, grow their business, live their lives as they see fit.”
Policywise, Flynn said Congress should overhaul Obamacare, enforce U.S. borders and reform the prison system by keeping more non-violent offenders out of prison and providing more treatment for substance abuse.
He added the GOP has time and again overlooked public sentiment in giving the Obama administration a mandate to get what it wants, including Obamacare.
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State Fair has new director
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* SJ-R…
A Fulton County farmer with longtime ties to the Illinois State Fair has been named manager of state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin.
An announcement Monday from the Illinois Department of Agriculture indicated Patrick Buchen, 63, would start work immediately. Buchen succeeds Amy Bliefnick. Bliefnick, who was named Springfield fair manager during the Blagojevich administration in 2005, was among agency heads and managers let go in January by the Rauner administration. […]
Buchen also has served as executive director of the Indiana State Fair, executive director of the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association and president of HSI Show Productions.
No word yet on his musical tastes. We’ll probably get an idea, though, when he announces Meat Loaf’s replacement.
Maybe we should give him some concert suggestions?…
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Question of the day
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Wordslinger on White Sox manager Robin Ventura…
I think these [defeats] by the Twins are it for Robin. He was a weird choice by Jerry to begin with. He never wanted the job, He certainly doesn’t seem to want it now.
Managers ain’t all that, but he’s bringing absolutely nothing to the club.
Robin’s been asleep since he took over, and the Sox have been one of the worst fundamental teams in baseball during that time. Four more errors today, terrible at bats, terrible base running.
The Sox have the makings of a contender, but they’re all underachieving.
Somebody needs to light a fire under this team and give fans a reason to come to the ballpark now that it’s getting warmer, Sox fans don’t show up when they’re this bad, and that costs Jerry money.
Kenny and Ozzie had had a long, long, friendly talk on the field before the game a couple of weeks ago.
I think it will happen.
Ozzie in the dugout by June 1. Makes too much sense for a lot of reasons not to happen.
More background here.
* The Question: Should the Sox dump Robin? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys
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Crime and punishment
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kinda hard to rehabilitate inmates if they’re sharing living spaces with rodents…
Despite promises by the state Department of Corrections to fix the problems, poor living conditions continue to plague the Vienna Correctional Center in southern Illinois, according to a watchdog group.
The John Howard Association released a report last week documenting first-hand observations and complaints from prisoners of poor conditions, including urine-stained mattresses, mold, rodents, broken windows and spiders, the Southern Illinoisan newspaper reported.
The complaints were compiled by the association during an October 2014 visit to the prison. They were similar to those uncovered in 2011 and outlined in a 2012 federal class-action lawsuit filed against the Corrections Department over conditions and crowding at the prison, which houses 48,000 inmates in space designed for 33,000. Most of the complaints were about one dormitory in the prison complex, Building 19.
* This can’t be easy, but good for DoC for making it happen…
Decatur Correctional Center’s E-wing is a place of stark juxtapositions, where the crackle of guards’ radios mix with the happy cries of a toddler learning to take his first steps. Colorful murals of Bert and Ernie from “Sesame Street” decorate the otherwise drab walls. And outside, swing sets and a plastic playhouse nestle into a corner of the prison yard, which is surrounded by a tall chain-link fence and razor wire.
For the past eight years, nonviolent offenders who give birth while in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections have been able to keep their newborns with them as they serve time in the state’s only prison nursery.
“I’m very grateful to be here,” said Cayesha Shivers, 25, who held her 3-month-old baby boy, Kori, as she sat in her cell on a recent spring day. “Every mom here can agree with me. There’s nothing like being able to be there, hands on. Not watching your child grow up through pictures and through letters and just phone calls.”
She is among the lucky few who qualify to live on this unit, where eight private cells — each furnished with a bunk, a changing table and a crib — offer women the space to diaper, swaddle and soothe their babies. Parenting classes, required by the prison, cover everything from tummy time to nursery rhymes.
* Meanwhile…
An Illinois advisory board has voted against recommending that anxiety and diabetes be added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.
The vote at a public hearing in Chicago is one of several votes expected Monday on various conditions submitted by public petition. Board members said anxiety was too broad, but left open the possibility of adding severe anxiety to the list in the future.
The board approved the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by a vote of 10-0 and the treatment of migraines by a vote of 8-2.
* In other news…
The Midwest Truckers Association recently penned a letter to the Illinois DOT, accusing officers of unfairly targeting truckers in Will County, Illinois.
The letter claims that over $2.5 million was made from overweight tickets on the Manhattan-Monee Road between U.S. Route 52 and U.S. 45.
The MTA says DOT officers camp out at the location and take advantage of confusing signage in order to issue thousands of citations. “County police have figured out if they just sit at that road, they can make some money,” said the MTA’s associate director, Matt Wells.
According to The Herald News, “Truck drivers often use the road to access U.S. 45, but fewer than 1,500 feet west of U.S. 45 lies a culvert with a 15-ton weight limit. When trucks turn onto the road to gain access to U.S. 45, the first sign they see points out a 15-ton weight limit 5 miles ahead.”
“Who in the world would [limit] a structure to 15 tons on a road that has a sign that says truck route? So everyone has logically assumed that the culvert 5 miles ahead is just past [U.S. 45] because the sign says it’s a truck route and they can access U.S. 45 this way.” Wells added.
* Related…
* Marijuana advocates rally for legalization in Peoria
* Exemplary Police Work #8
* Motorcycle safety & the helmet debate in Illinois
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It’s just a bill…
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Bill 1531 is basically much-needed cleanup language…
Three decades after it was enacted, the state’s parentage law is on track for an overhaul by Illinois lawmakers.
A new version of the Parentage Act that would incorporate provisions to account for same-sex marriage and unmarried parents is poised for a Senate vote after passing the House last week.
The rewrite is authored by the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Study Committee.
Generally, it would modernize the law, remove gender-specific language and make room for “non-traditional relationships” in the context of who is presumed to be a legal parent — and thus given the right to live with a child and make decisions about his or her life.
For instance, the bill states that “a person” is presumed to be the parent when entering “into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, and the child is born to the mother” during such a relationship — unless there’s a valid surrogacy contract already in place.
The law also says that if a child is born to a couple right before their relationship begins or soon after it is legally terminated, they’re still presumed to be the legal parents.
* Historically interesting…
A lawmaker’s bill to recognize the Shawnee Indian tribe has cleared the Illinois House of Representatives.
State Rep. Brandon Phelps D-Harrisburg passed a bill out of the Illinois House of Representatives recognizing southern Illinois’ Shawnee Indian tribe that would make them able to receive state and federal resources that are offered to other Native American groups.
“As a resident of Southern Illinois, I am proud to sponsor this legislation because not only does the Shawnee Tribe deserve the recognition and resources allowed to other Native American groups, but it will also lead to more resources for our region,” Phelps said.
Could a casino be in the future?
* Seems like a good idea…
As quantities of electronic waste continue to increase, state Rep. Michelle Mussman recently passed legislation that will help facilitate increased recycling of electronic products by manufacturers.
“Electronic waste can be extremely harmful to our natural spaces and the amount of discarded devices grows every day,” Mussman said. “Beyond the environmental impact, the expense of responsibly disposing of e-waste is putting an unneeded extra burden on taxpayers”
Illinois law requires electronics manufacturers to reuse or recycle a percentage of the total weight of devices sold in Illinois, subject to fines. To avoid a penalty, manufacturers generally pay third-party recyclers, which accept waste collected by other entities, including local governments, to satisfy this obligation. With growing amounts of electronic waste, the manufacturers’ payments are not fully recuperating recycling and hauling costs, forcing local governments to make up the difference.
* Zero tolerance policies are stupid, so I hope this works as intended…
Public schools in Illinois would have to reform their discipline policies under legislation being considered in the Illinois General Assembly.
The bill aims to limit how long students are removed from the classroom, and it comes as schools and lawmakers examine the effects of suspensions and expulsions on a student’s educational performance. However, many of the ideas in the bill are already being enacted in Springfield schools.
Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Chicago, sponsors Senate Bill 100, which would do away with “zero-tolerance” discipline and limit how Illinois public schools use suspensions and expulsions. Lightford’s bill passed the Senate on April 23 with a 38-16 vote and awaits a vote in the House. The vote among senators representing parts of Springfield was split, with Sen. Sam McCann, R-Carlinville, and Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, supporting the bill. Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, opposed it.
The bill would limit suspensions and expulsions to three days or shorter, unless the student poses a threat to safety or interferes with the school’s operation, and only after all other interventions have been tried. Zero-tolerance policies – in which a school administrator must suspend or expel a student for a certain offense – would be banned statewide unless mandated by federal law. School boards that vote to suspend or expel a student would have to provide a written explanation for their decision and for the length of the punishment. Administrators would be banned from encouraging students to drop out of school due to behavioral or academic problems.
* A very tough issue…
Mindy Swank of Chicago grew up in a conservative household – both religiously and politically – so when her pregnancy went wrong, it was a difficult decision to have an abortion.
She and her husband, Adam, were excited to have their second child, she told an Illinois Senate legislative panel at the Capitol in March, but their doctors informed them the child likely wouldn’t survive. Having the child, they were told, could hurt Mindy’s ability to have future children and possibly endanger her life. Instead of receiving the abortion, however, Mindy endured a dangerous, weeks-long miscarriage.
Mindy told her story to the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee on March 17, testifying about a bill that could have prevented her ordeal. The bill passed the full Senate on April 23 and awaits a vote in the House.
The Swanks’ hospital, one of several Catholic-run hospitals around the state, refused to terminate Mindy’s pregnancy due to the Roman Catholic Church’s religious restrictions on abortion. When the Swanks tried to have the procedure done at a secular hospital, their insurance wouldn’t cover it because the Catholic hospital hadn’t documented it as “medically necessary.”
* Related…
* Bikes ‘N’ Roses Plans 3-Day Ride to Springfield in Bid To Restore Funding
* Policyholder Rights Under Seige in Illinois
* Illinois Senate Approves Bill on Student Concussions
* Crespo Supports Legislation to Combat Sexual Assault on College Campuses
* Illinois Senate advances Silver Alert legislation
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* I did not know this…
[Mary Todd Lincoln] had requested that her husband be buried in [the new Oak Ridge Cemetery], a few miles from town, and a monument to him be built there. But Springfield leaders had another idea. They had already chosen a more prominent, central location very near the city’s commercial downtown. “I think they wanted the monument, where people could pay tribute to Lincoln, to be conveniently located,” Burlingame says.
“This was a civic gesture as well as maybe, if you want to think of this, a business opportunity to bring more people into town and drive up the value of land,” says Cornelius. Springfield’s leaders “wanted to do the right thing for Springfield and weren’t necessarily thinking in the emotional, personal way that Mary and her son, Robert, were thinking.”
Those men, who included Lincoln’s friends and peers, had spent around $50,000 to buy land for his burial and monument on a hill just blocks from the train station, Cornelius says. Even after Mary requested that Lincoln be buried in Oak Ridge, Springfield’s newly formed National Lincoln Monument Association had a temporary tomb constructed for his body on the downtown lot. It’s still there, beneath the ground, on the northeast corner of the current Statehouse lawn, according to Mal Hildebrand, former director of the Office of the Capitol Architect. He saw the tomb’s remains in the 1970s during construction work.
Go read the whole thing. An excellent piece.
* I went to Saturday’s event downtown, but it was at times so horrible that I decided to skip Sunday’s events. I regret that now…
A quartet sang a passionate version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” at noon Sunday, just before the re-created version of Abraham Lincoln’s casket was loaded into the hearse outside the Old State Capitol at the corner of Sixth and Washington streets.
As the pallbearers placed the black coffin inside the replica horse-drawn hearse that would carry it to Oak Ridge Cemetery, a quiet fell over the crowd, aside from the occasional camera click.
At 12:15 p.m., the large procession began making its way southeast through downtown Springfield to the Lincoln Home. Most of the onlookers chose spots near the Old State Capitol or the home to watch hundreds of civilian and military re-enactors in period clothing move past, while some followed the procession through the city’s downtown streets.
I would’ve liked to have seen that.
* The reason Saturday was so horrible is purely on the back of Lincoln Funeral Coalition Board Chair Katie Spindell.
Ms. Spindell managed to make the entire event about herself. She worked so very hard for six long years to put this together, she told us over and over again. She even stopped watching TV. Boy, was she ever going to sleep late on Monday, so don’t call her!
Every time she opened her mouth (she emceed, so it was often), everything was all about her.
Oh, and after SIX YEARS of alleged planning, much of what happened on stage was done at the very last second.
Not to mention that only one African-American spoke, and only for a brief moment. The ambassador from San Marino was given far more time. Yes, San Marino. I didn’t care, either.
It was a complete, utter embarrassment.
* But, again, I’m regretting my decision to skip Sunday…
William Polston learned more about history retracing his ancestors’ steps than he ever could have from a book.
The 11-year-old from Minneapolis was the youngest among the Lincoln Funeral Re-enactment pallbearers on Saturday. History shows Abraham Lincoln had 14 pallbearers at his funeral in 1865, and generations later, six of their descendants returned for the re-enactment.
Cool.
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Your daily “right to work” roundup
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Nothing yet from the governor’s office, but could Gov. Rauner lose yet another town?…
The members of the Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, April 30, at Corwin Hall for the city’s monthly committee meetings.
Among the items on the agenda were two motions to rescind the previous votes on resolutions to urge Governor Bruce Rauner and the General Assembly to protect full funding of Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) reserves and to support Governor Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda” for local Government Empowerment and Reform.
Both motions to rescind would pass by a 5-2 margin with Alderman Tim Hancock absent. Final vote on the two rescinded motions will come on Tuesday at the full council meeting. During the discussion of the “Turnaround Agenda” resolution, Mayor Steve Dougherty asked the council to consider supporting the agenda, saying that he would rather have the governor think positively of the city than negatively.
* From the Illinois AFL-CIO…
Evanston to consider Rauner anti-worker resolution tonight.
6 p.m., Council Chambers, 2100 Ridge Avenue […]
Alert for upcoming meetings concerning the Rauner anti-worker resolution;
Kane County Board Executive Committee, Wednesday, May 6, 9 a.m in County Board Room, 719 S Batavia Ave, Geneva. Bldg A
Village of Cambridge (Henry County), May 11, 6 p.m., Committee of the Whole, Village Administrative Offices located at 124 West Exchange Street
Iroquois County Board, May 12, 9 a.m., 1001 East Grant Street, Watseka
* In other news, Bernie wrote yesterday about this letter to the governor…
Dear Governor Rauner,
It seems that we, the Canaryville Veterans Riders Association, should have provided you with a little history about the members of this organization.
The majority of us come from immigrant parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, who settled in the area just east of the Chicago stock yards. Our ancestor’s had a tough row to hoe. They mostly worked in the meat industry. They had horrific working and living conditions because the meat barons used them as slave labor until they had had enough and took a stand.
With the help of father Dourney they negotiated a work contract that helped a little with working conditions. Ever since that time we have fought to make sure that workers have rights. That being said, it saddens us that you would pick a fight and blame the state woes on the good working class citizens of our state.
It seems big businesses can spend millions of dollars to buy politicians and their votes so they can skirt rules and regulations while working class people, Union or not, only have one voice in the political arena and that is organized labor.
You may or may not know this but most of our troops and Veteran are working class people. Kids from wealthy families don’t join the military and they don’t go to war. During the draft children of the wealthy had ways to avoid going to war, during your campaign it seemed you understood that. Apparently we fell for more political rhetoric.
You say people should have a right to choose if they want to be Union or not they already have that choice. If you don’t want to be a Union member don’t apply for that job. If you are in a Union shop there is a process you can take if you are not satisfied. First you can elect new officers, second you can vote to decertify. When you say that you’re giving people a choice they already have its a democratic choice.
When we as Veterans signed our name and raised our right hand we swore to uphold and protect our constitution not to uphold executive orders and that goes for both sides of the aisle. There is a Democratic system in place. When we took the oath we did not swear to protect a dictatorship and again that goes for both sides of the aisle.
With that being said it is a consensus amongst the Canaryville Veterans Riders Association that we request the return of our patches that we honorably bestowed upon you. This is an open letter that will be posted in an open forum that will be sent out to other Veterans groups and like minded associations.
You can contact me and I will give you an address or if you like I can send a self address postage paid package to you.
Thank you ,
Tom Russ
President
Canaryville Veterans Riders Association
* Bernie’s piece…
Catherine Kelly, spokeswoman for Rauner, said via email that the governor wanted to meet with the group after the letter was posted and did so in March.
“And while they agreed they don’t see eye-to-eye on some issues, the group was honored the governor took the time to speak with their members and they came to a mutual agreement on the vest,” Kelly wrote. “They have plans to ride together in the future.”
Via the Canaryville group’s website, I sought response from Russ. I received a response from a Michael Tracy, who said the group had no comment at this time.
* Related…
* Smiddy, Rauner debate on Turnaround Agenda won’t happen: Smiddy answered that the debate wasn’t his idea, but since he’d been called out, the two men might as well air it out in public. “I didn’t go looking for this. I was invited and asked to give my views, and I did,” he said.
* Tribune Editorial: The union ties that bind: Rauner will have a significant say in negotiations on the AFSCME contract, which expires this year. This state can’t afford a status quo in which a supervisor can’t pitch in on a problem. It can’t afford to tell well-intentioned volunteers to go away. It can’t afford to waste one dollar on outdated work rules. Not when it faces a $100 billion pension liability. Not when scores of people fear the impact of state spending cuts on services.
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Here we go again…
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Emanuel has personally discussed a proposed city casino with all four legislative leaders, as well as with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and his staff, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times. The talks have come as two legislative hearings on gambling expansion are scheduled in downtown Chicago over the next two weeks, with the first set for 10 a.m. Monday at the Bilandic Building. […]
So far, two bills that include a city casino have surfaced in the Capitol, each introduced by Rep. Robert Rita, D-Blue Island, whose district includes parts of the city’s South Side. Both call for the state to own and operate the Chicago casino. Emanuel, though, wants the city to own the casino.
Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, and Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, have been discussing a third bill with Emanuel’s office that Link says would create a large, city-owned casino in Chicago, as well as add new casinos in the south suburbs and in Rockford, Danville and Lake County, Link’s home turf. The plan also would allow year-round video gambling at Arlington Park and Illinois’ four other horse tracks.
“We’ve just received another proposal from the city. We’re reviewing that now,” Link says. “We’re trying to see how it looks compared to what we had. It’s a pyramid. If you pull one brick out, the whole thing could fall apart.” […]
“They may not be proponents of gambling, but they realize this is something that would benefit a lot of people,” Link says. “I’ve met with [Rauner]. I know the mayor’s met with him. It’s a thing we’re moving along.”
* CBS2…
Now that Emanuel has begun a new push for a Chicago casino, Rauner said “I’m open to considering gambling expansion; and whether it’s for the city of Chicago, or other places.” […]
“I’m not a fan of gaming,” he said. “I think it causes some negatives in our communities, as well as positives. It certainly can be a job creator, and a tax revenue generator, so those are both two good things.”
The governor would not say what he has discussed with Emanuel and legislative leaders, as the mayor has begun lobbying the General Assembly for a new city-owned casino to boost tax revenues at a time the city is facing a $430 million operating deficit, $550 million in increased payments to police and fire pensions, and $1.1 billion in deficits at the Chicago Public Schools.
If history is any guide, the only way this survives is if all four leaders and the governor and the mayor are pulling in the same direction.
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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
Everyone who has ever taken any sales training knows that even if your potential customers see the need for your product, they won’t write the check until they’re convinced they actually want it.
You may realize you need a new car, for instance, but it’s the salesman’s job to convince you that you want a fancier, pricier auto.
The act of legislating operates on much the same principle. Legislators first have to be convinced of the need for a particular bill or appropriation, but they still might be reluctant to vote for it.
Maybe it costs too much, or maybe the lobbyist on the other side is an old pal. Maybe there are some technical problems.
So they have to be convinced that they want the bill to pass. Costs could be lowered, some common ground could be found with the lobbyist pal. Details almost always are negotiable.
Gov. Bruce Rauner often has said he was primarily a salesman when he ran private-equity group GTCR. He most certainly knows about need and want.
Go read the whole thing before commenting, please.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Crash and burn?
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The new legislative “working groups” designed to hammer out compromises on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda” finally began meeting in secret last week. At least one of them got a bit heated.
A working group tasked with writing ethics legislation hit a brick wall right off the bat when it came time to discuss Rauner term limits constitutional amendment. Two Democrats on the committee reportedly said there was plenty of time to deal with the amendment next year, since it couldn’t be placed onto the ballot until November of 2016.
Nope, said the administration representative, according to sources. The governor wants that amendment passed by the end of the spring legislative session. When he was met with stiff resistance, the administration official reportedly became agitated and more than implied that if the constitutional amendment isn’t passed by May 31st, then the governor would not support any revenue increases to patch next fiscal year’s massive $6 billion hole.
The Democrats were shocked. Would the governor really threaten to crash the entire government over a term limits bill?
Yep.
And that message was apparently sent to pretty much all of the working groups last week. Pass this stuff or deal with the horrific consequences of allowing the temporary income tax hike to partially expire.
The governor has repeatedly said that he fully intends to take advantage of the budget crisis in order to push his agenda through the General Assembly. And he has made no bones about what he wants. Term limits have been on his agenda since Day One of his campaign. So, the threat shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. Still, there were some thunderstruck Democrats last week.
Every poll has shown that the public is wildly enthusiastic about term limits. But legislators? Not so much. There are sound policy arguments against the simplistic solution, including the danger that it would empower experienced lobbyists and staff even more than they already are. Still, the idea’s popularity means that if it’s put on the floor for a final vote, legislators will be placed in a highly uncomfortable position and many will have to vote for the thing - so they absolutely don’t want to be backed into that corner.
Not everything went horribly. The ethics working group, for instance, eventually decided to skip over term limits for now in order to prevent a meltdown. They plan to take up a proposal to codify one of the governor’s executive orders on state employee ethics, which is viewed as pretty much a no-brainer.
The working group will also tackle the governor’s “conflict of interest” legislation, which would, in part, ban direct campaign contributions to members of the executive branch from public employee unions that negotiate employment contracts. The proposal would also ban contributions from hospitals and nursing homes which receive Medicaid funds.
Surprisingly enough, legislative Democrats are open to those ideas. One reason is a bit on the crass side. The less money that unions like AFSCME can give to gubernatorial and other statewide candidates, the more money the unions will be able to contribute to legislative candidates. Plus, as we’ve seen time and time again, money pretty much always finds a way around statutory barricades. AFSCME, for instance, could simply give money to the Democratic Governors Association or the Democratic Party of Illinois or start its own “dark money” independent expenditure PAC.
And there’s apparently even room for compromise on the term limits amendment, insiders say. One reported Rauner fallback position is to apply the limits only to newly elected legislators, perhaps sometime down the road.
But even if they can reach an accord on all of the governor’s proposal, they will still have to deal with the horrendous budget deficit. One of the smartest people I know at the Statehouse took me aside the other day and confided he was alarmed about the coming problem.
The budget hole is estimated to be at least $6 billion. But, this person said, let’s just say that Rauner agrees to $3 billion in tax hikes along with $3 billion in cuts. How the heck does he get that turkey passed? The GA spent weeks fighting over a mere $26 million in cuts to this fiscal year’s budget. Who will vote to cut $3 billion? And what Democrat will vote to raise taxes by $3 billion when that means another $3 billion will have to be cut?
Tough times ahead.
Subscribers have a complete list of working group membership along with meeting times and places.
*** UPDATE *** The Tribune makes reference to the working groups in a story we’ll discuss later today. Mike Flannery brought up the “Vegas” working group that we discussed Friday during an interview with Rep. Jack Franks on Fox Chicago Sunday. And GOP Rep. Dave McSweeney talked about the secret groups in a Sunday op-ed.
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Loaf cancels on us
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
MEAT LOAF ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF 2015 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR APPEARANCE
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Meat Loaf, who was slated to perform on Wednesday, August 19, with Styx and Tesla, has cancelled his upcoming appearance at the Illinois State Fair.
The Illinois State Fair will name a replacement act(s) for the Meat Loaf/Styx/Tesla concert in the near future.
Tickets for this show were scheduled to go on sale through Ticketmaster on Saturday, May 2; however, some Fan Club pre-sale tickets were sold via Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster will be issuing a refund back to those customers, and the refund will go back on the credit card used to make the purchase.
No other explanation was given, but this saves me from possibly being dragged to his show, so I thank him.
…Adding… Heh…
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* The Speaker talked about doing this a couple of weeks ago, but then held off…
Madigan Sets Full House Hearing on Compensation for Injured Workers
CHICAGO – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan on Friday announced the House of Representatives will convene in a committee of the whole at noon on Tuesday to discuss the compensation received by workers injured while on the job through no fault of their own.
“Proposals to change the compensation received by men and women injured at their workplaces will have a significant impact on the financial security of middle-class families throughout Illinois,” Madigan said. “Changes that limit workers’ ability to provide for their families if they are hurt on the job will have an adverse ripple effect throughout our economy. The committee of the whole offers us an opportunity to discuss how proposals would impact individuals who have been hurt and their ability to be fairly compensated for their injuries and lost wages.”
The committee of the whole will include discussion on topics such as the effects of workers’ compensation systems on injured workers, a 2011 reform law pushed by Madigan to reduce employer costs, and differences between Illinois’ workers’ compensation system and the systems in other states. Legislators will also hear from workers who have been injured in the workplace and how that has impacted their families.
Since Madigan’s 2011 reform law, workers’ compensation rates in Illinois have fallen, leading to an overall reduction in insurance premiums paid by businesses. Some have argued Illinois workers’ compensation rates must be reduced even further for businesses to be competitive, but Madigan believes there needs to be a balance between the financial security of Illinois’ middle-class families, who are the backbone of any strong business, and the insurance premiums paid by businesses.
“Numbers on paper alone can’t tell the full story of men and women who are hurt at work through no fault of their own and whose families must cope with lost wages and massive medical bills,” Madigan said. “These workers and their families are the reason we have an injured workers’ compensation system, and they deserve to have their voices heard.”
Madigan noted that the committee of the whole format will allow all members of the House to participate in the discussion.
*** UPDATE *** Jim Durkin, House Republican Leader…,
“Workers’ compensation reform is a serious issue that needs a fair debate and House Republicans are glad to participate in the Committee of the Whole. The high rate Illinois employers must pay for workers’ compensation coverage is costing us jobs. We believe changes are needed to bring rates down so that Illinois employers can better compete with other states while still protecting workers who are injured on the job. Certainly, there are two sides to every story, and we respectfully ask the majority party to allow Illinois employers and job creators to testify at Tuesday’s hearing.”
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Friday afternoon document dump
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Governor Rauner Submits Statements of Economic Interest
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner today submitted his statutorily-required Statement of Economic Interests as well as the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interests required by the governor’s Executive Order 15-09.
When filling out his Statements of Economic Interests, the governor used a broad definition of “doing business in Illinois” to determine what to include. For example, the governor lists “Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc.” even though he owns a minority stake in the organization and the Steelers did not play a game in Illinois during the calendar year.
The statements INCLUDE the holdings of the Rauner Family Foundation.
The Statement of Economic Interests is here. The Supplemental Statement of Economic Interests is here.
Go take a look.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Question of the day
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gov. Rauner’s Facebook page…
* The Question: Caption?
*** UPDATE *** From IUOE Local 150…
Good afternoon Rich,
On your caption photo today, if you look on the governor’s left side, next to the “sheriff’s badge” pin, you can see that he is wearing a Local 150 pin.
Hilarious.
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What a coinkydink
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* ComEd lobsters always say there’s a “firewall” between parent company Exelon and their company. But their paychecks say “Exelon” on them and now we find out via Crain’s that ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore’s pay is partially tied to Exelon’s performance…
In 2014, 25 percent of Pramaggiore’s cash bonus was tied to Exelon’s operating earnings per share, with the remainder dependent on operational achievements at ComEd, according to an April 28 Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Last year, Pramaggiore’s total compensation just exceeded $2 million. Nearly half that amount—$974,888, including a salary of $585,271—was in cash. But Pramaggiore’s annual cash incentive payment dropped 22 percent to $371,064 from $473,280 the year before. […]
Beginning in 2013, her cash bonus began to be based in part on Exelon’s earnings at an unspecified percentage, according to a filing.
Coincidentally or not, in recent years ComEd has been less shy about lobbying for or against changes to state law that would help or hurt Exelon’s power plants but would have little bearing on ComEd’s operations.
The most obvious example is Exelon’s pending bill to slap a surcharge on electric bills statewide in order to funnel up to $300 million in additional revenue to its six Illinois nukes, three of which are losing money. ComEd’s potent lobbying army is working on lawmakers in Springfield to approve the measure, along with a separate ComEd initiative on green energy that environmentalists say is aimed at helping the nukes by thwarting greater energy-efficiency gains proposed by a coalition of greens, clean energy companies and consumer advocates, along with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
* Meanwhile…
With Illinois lawmakers discussing a major overhaul of state energy policies this spring, a group of downstate representatives and senators said Thursday they want to make sure the coal industry has a seat at the negotiating table.
In an announcement Thursday, a coalition of Republican and Democratic lawmakers from south of Interstate 80 said they plan to introduce legislation that would jump-start the Illinois coal industry, create 8,000 new jobs, save electric ratepayers as much as $700 million per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. […]
The proposal outlined Thursday seeks to make it cheaper for Illinois power plants to burn Illinois coal by removing regulations that allow electric companies to shift the cost of importing Western states’ coal to electric customers.
The proposal also would establish a revenue stream that could pay for scrubbers that would reduce environmentally harmful emissions. […]
Standing with the lawmakers at Thursday’s Statehouse press conference was Roger Dennison, the lead lobbyist for Foresight Energy, a St. Louis-based coal mine company.
Foresight has contributed more than $185,600 to Illinois politicians since Jan. 1.
* And…
A coalition of business groups and one of the largest phone providers in the state are trying to move away from mandatory investment in old landlines.
The Illinois Telecommunications Act requires phone companies to offer landline phone service. The law expires this spring, and AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza said in a Statehouse news conference Thursday that the law needs to go by the wayside. […]
“The phone industry rakes in billions of dollars a year,” [CUB spokesman Jim Chilsen] said. “It can afford to support a healthy phone market for consumers, whether they like high-tech options like smartphones or whether they want their landlines.” […]
Chilsen said old landlines are the primary and most dependable option for many, especially people living in rural areas or on fixed incomes. AARP Illinois associate state director Julie Vahling said the elderly are another vulnerable group.
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Lincoln Funeral Reenactment events calendar
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Illnois Times has a comprehensive list of the weekend’s activities. Click here. Unless you are very young, this is a once in a lifetime thing. Events I’m considering…
Civil War Military Encampment
May 1-3, dawn until dusk. Fri-Sun. Infantry, artillery, mixed military and civilian camps illustrate 1860s life. Lincolnfuneralcoalition.org. Lincoln Park, 1501 N. Fifth St
Viewing of Replica Coffin and Hearse
May 2, 9am. Part of the Lincoln Funeral Reenactment. Free to public. lincolnfuneraltrain.org. Amtrak Station, 100 N. Third St., 872-7245.
Procession from train station to Old State Capitol
May 2, 10am-4pm. Procession includes the recreation of the original Lincoln hearse, horse-drawn carriages, military and civilian Civil War reenactors, plus other period groups. A Lincoln Funeral Commemoration Event. Free to public. lincolnfuneraltrain.org. Amtrak Station, 100 N. Third St., 872-7245.
Opening Commemorative Ceremony
May 2, 11am. Conducted by dignitaries, color guard and Civil War reenactors. Seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. lincolnfuneraltrain.org. Near Old State Capitol at Washington and Sixth Streets.
All Night Vigil
May 2-3, 12pm-6am Sat-Sun. All night vigil featuring hearse and coffin to begin following opening ceremony. A Lincoln Funeral Commemoration event. Near Old State Capitol at Washington and Sixth streets.
Civil War Refreshments
May 3, 10am-1pm. Enjoy Civil War-style refreshments on the lawn. Proceeds support Edwards Place restoration fund. A Lincoln Funeral Commemoration event. $10 admission. Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Procession to Oak Ridge Cemetery
May 3, 12pm. Procession leaves from Sixth and Washington, follows much of historic route to Oak Ridge Cemetery. A Lincoln Funeral Commemoration event. No reserved seating, no parking available inside cemetery. Free to public. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-9363.
Oak Ridge Cemetery Ceremony and Cannon Salute
May 3, 3-4:30pm. Clergy members, Civil War reenactors present the eulogy, speeches, salutes at Old Public Receiving Vault. Music by special choir and Civil war era-style musicians perform music from original ceremony. Ceremony concludes at 4:30pm with 36 cannon salute. No parking, no reserved seating. Free to public. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 789-2340.
…Adding… Reposting yesterday’s ScribbleLive feed…
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* Erickson…
In a scathing report issued Thursday, Illinois Auditor General William Holland, said state prison workers may have been engaging in “shift swapping,” in which workers used sick time or personal time for their regular shift, but then worked another shift at the overtime rate of pay later that same day.
“While there may be instances where this would be a needed solution to a difficult staff coverage scenario, it could be a sign of abuse of overtime and may be against department policy,” Holland noted in his audit of the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The financial effect on taxpayers is that not only does the state pay the employee at the overtime rate for the shift worked in addition to the regular rate for the leave time taken, but the state also pays another employee overtime to cover the shift for which the leave time was used, Holland said.
Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, said there is no solid evidence that “shift swapping” occurred. And, he said there may have been good reason for workers to have skipped their scheduled shift.
“It’s not hard to envision a situation where a dad takes an earned vacation day to be sure he can make his daughter’s teachers conference and then receives a call asking if he can work a shift,” Lindall said.
* But before Rauner folks blame this on the union, they should check out the audit…
We requested any union agreements that allow overtime pay on the same day that leave time is taken; however, the Department could not provide any.
Some of these cases might be reasonable, but the unreasonable overtime situation is most definitely a management problem.
* And this…
The Department of Corrections (Department) did not always maintain documentation to support overtime paid to employees. In addition, we identified errors in the overtime pay. […]
At Stateville Correctional Center there is a lack of personnel in key timekeeping and payroll positions. The Timekeeping Supervisor is a security employee (a shift supervisor) that has been temporarily assigned to this position. According to officials another employee in payroll was reassigned from the Warden’s Office. There was no full time Business Manager and a new Business Administrator started the first day we were on site (January 5, 2015). […]
Logan Correctional Center overpaid employees for overtime and compensatory time. A standard work shift is 7.5 hours not including a half hour unpaid lunch and a roll-call period of 15 minutes. If an employee stands roll-call or works through their lunch, these are paid separately from the employee’s regular pay. Compensatory time and overtime at Logan Correctional Center were being accrued and paid at 8 or 8.25 hours per shift instead of 7.5 hours as is required by union contract (RC-6 Agreement Article XII, Sec. 1 d) and CU-500 Agreement Article XII Sec. 1 b)). Therefore, for each overtime shift worked and for every shift worked for compensatory time, employees were being compensated an extra .5 to .75 hours. For the 10 Logan Correctional Center employees we tested for the months of July 2013 and May 2014, we identified 79.5 hours of overpayment for overtime. […]
For one Logan Correctional Center employee, an overtime slip requesting that they receive a half hour paid lunch was denied twice for the same shift; however, when reviewing the payroll report for that time period, it appears they were paid for both denied slips. […]
An employee at Stateville Correctional Center was underpaid 16 hours of overtime. During the following pay period, only an additional two hours of overtime from the previous pay period shortage was paid, leaving the employee 14 hours of unpaid overtime. Additionally, this employee’s annual timesheet showed 12 more hours of overtime than the overtime slips documented.
Sheesh.
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Your daily “right to work” roundup
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Nothing yet from the governor’s office or the Illinois AFL-CIO. But…
The Iroquois County Board will consider adopting “The Turnaround Agenda — Local Government Empowerment and Reform” resolution when it meets May 12.
The county’s policy and procedure committee, after hearing opposition yesterday morning from several people with regard to the resolution, voted unanimously to pass the measure on to the full county board.
* And…
Despite requests from Governor Bruce Rauner, the Sangamon County Board has no immediate plans to vote on a resolution supporting Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda.” […]
In Sangamon County, the issue has not been introduced, and county executive Brian McFadden doesn’t know when, or if, it will be.
* Meanwhile…
Mundelein Village Trustee Ed Sullivan forcefully took a stand supporting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda” during an April 27 meeting, even though the topic had been removed from consideration days before.
At least one union activist was on hand and interrupted Sullivan several minutes into his remarks. Police became involved when the man ignored Mayor Steve Lentz and continued to confront Sullivan.
The governor asked municipalities throughout the state to approve a prewritten statement pledging support for a number of controversial economic reform ideas. Mundelein trustees considered the resolution April 13 and planned to revise the proclamation and reconsider it at a future meeting. When it became clear trustees were deadlocked on the matter, the item was pulled from the April 27 agenda.
“Two weeks ago we listened to about 34 individuals who were union members or union officials,” Sullivan said. “They seemed concerned that their life as they know it was going to end if changes were made in Illinois law. They told us those changes were illegal. They’re not illegal, because the legislature hasn’t made the changes yet.”
* Now, on to Wisconsin, where AFSCME no longer has payroll deductions of union dues…
Wisconsin’s three AFSCME councils are merging four years after the state rolled back public-sector union rights, prompting two out of three dues-paying members to drop out. […]
The three Wisconsin AFSCME councils claimed nearly 63,000 members in 2010. That number is likely less than 20,000 now.
Publicly available tax records for the state workers union show that Council 24 revenue dropped from over $5 million in 2010 to $1.5 million in 2013. Like the other councils it reduced staff to cut costs, but from 2011 through 2013 it spent $1.8 million more than it took in. […]
Some public-sector bargaining units have won recertification through annual membership votes under provisions of Act 10. They can bargain for small raises only, not for benefits or working conditions, and they have no recourse to arbitration if employers simply say no to their demands.
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Dold, Bost on “most vulnerable” list
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Politico’s “Campaign Pro”…
… Democrats won over 1.4 million more votes for Congress than Republicans in 2012, yet Republicans comfortably kept control of the House. And that’s why even a decisive Democratic victory at the national level in 2016 is unlikely to produce a change in which party controls the chamber.
Predictably, the races at the top of our list tend to be the most volatile districts. Seven of the top 10 flipped last cycle, including seats represented by freshman Republican Reps. Rod Blum and Cresent Hardy, and Democratic Reps. Brad Ashford and Gwen Graham — all of whom hold seats that voted for the other party’s candidate for president in 2012. In two of the remaining three top-10 districts, vulnerable incumbents aren’t running again.
Here’s Campaign Pro’s top 30 House races of 2016, ranked in order of likelihood of a party switch: […]
3. Illinois-10 (R — Dold): This seat in Chicago’s northern suburbs is the most Democratic district in the country represented by a Republican. GOP Rep. Bob Dold won the seat in 2010 after Mark Kirk chose to run for the Senate, but lost it to Democrat Brad Schneider two years later. Last fall, Dold won the rematch with 51 percent of the vote. He’s likely to face tougher odds in a presidential year — Obama won 58 percent of the vote in the district in 2012, and Schneider’s already announced that he’s running again. But Dold has a moderate voting record, and he raised an impressive $605,000 in the first quarter. Schneider first faces Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering in the primary. […]
14. Illinois-12 (R — Bost): GOP Rep. Mike Bost beat Democratic Rep. Bill Enyart by a solid margin last November, winning 52 percent of the vote in this southern Illinois district. Enyart doesn’t seem to be running again — he terminated his campaign committee last month — and Bost pulled in a respectable $418,000 in the first quarter. But the district went for Obama by a thin margin in 2012, and the right Democrat might be able to defeat Bost in a presidential year.
I don’t totally disagree with the Dold ranking. That district flips with the top of the ticket, but Dold might be able to hold on. If a Democrat does win it next year and Hillary wins the presidency, the district could flip back GOP again in 2018. A Republican president, however, could transform the district into a somewhat safer Dem seat.
But the Illinois Dems put Bost at the top of their target list after he won his first Illinois House race in a Democratic district during a big Republican year. Bost held onto that seat for 20 more years. He cannot be underestimated.
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* Sun-Times…
As first reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Obama library, museum and presidential center will be located on Chicago’s South Side, with the University of Chicago bid beating out the competition for the massive project.
The Sun-Times has reported in several stories since April 14 that the Obama development was coming to the city. The official announcement will be made in Chicago by the Chicago-based Barack Obama Foundation in about two weeks, the Sun-Times has confirmed with several sources with direct knowledge of the rollout.
Though the decision to ratify the foundation recommendation was made by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle, the president is not expected to attend the announcement, for which planning has already begun, the Sun-Times was told by a source.
As the Sun-Times reported on April 14, the foundation, led by Obama friend Marty Nesbitt, will not announce until later this year whether the Obama complex will be located in Washington Park or Jackson Park. The parks are near the University of Chicago’s main Hyde Park campus.
* Meanwhile…
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday afternoon will sign the bill making it harder to legally challenge the construction of the Obama presidential library complex and the Lucas Museum.
“I am very excited about it. I look forward to signing it,” Rauner told the Sun-Times.
“I plan to sign it this afternoon as soon as I get back to Springfield,” he added. “The bill obviously makes it easier to get the Obama Library in Chicago. And I think the president’s library will be a very benefit to the state of Illinois and to the city of Chicago and I am very supportive of that.”
Likewise, he said, “I also think the Lucas museum will be a big benefit to the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago and I am supportive of that.”
*** UPDATE *** The governor issued a “video statement”...
Click to view
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Governor backs out of “debate”
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers recently that Gov. Bruce Rauner suggested that he and Democratic state Rep. Mike Smiddy have a public debate about public employee unions. Smiddy was first elected with strong support from AFSCME and the two had a spirited discussion during a meeting between Rauner and Downstate legislators. Smiddy wrote a letter to Gov. Rauner this week accepting the governor’s debate challenge…
* But the governor is reneging…
Hi, Rich:
There will be no debate, but Gov. Rauner looks forward to continuing to have spirited interchanges with Rep. Smiddy and other legislators in small and large groups about how to make Illinois more competitive and compassionate and get the most value for taxpayers. We appreciate Rep. Smiddy’s hunt for publicity and headlines. Hopefully, he will soon begin to show as much enthusiasm for saving taxpayer’s money and getting Illinois out of the worst fiscal crisis in the country.
Thanks!
ck
Discuss.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
With a philosophy of “People Helping People”, credit unions as not-for-profit financial cooperatives, have established themselves as trusted sources to teach members and the community about maintaining healthy financial habits.
April marks a time when Illinois credit unions ramp up their efforts — particularly with youth — about this significant need. One key example is Great Lakes Credit Union.
Via hosting creative real-world simulation financial education programs, Great Lakes in the past year reached more than 3,700 students, with the financial tools they need to succeed. And they are not alone. As a premier host of Financial Reality Fairs for more than 10 years, Illinois credit unions most recently conducted more than 350 Financial Reality Fairs involving 18,000 students. In the true sense of community, these Fairs are held at schools, churches and libraries.
Great Lakes Credit Union also partners with other local organizations to educate youth on the importance of establishing a banking relationship as part of the job search process. To further expand its impact, the credit union reaches youth where they are with self-guided online modules that help create bright financial futures.
Financial education – a vital life skill for members – and a fundamental tenet of the credit union mission.
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Today’s quotable
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The importance of a strong infrastructure…
[Mitsubishi Motors North America general manager of corporate communications Dan Irvin] said Mitsubishi wouldn’t be located in McLean County if it weren’t for the transportation infrastructure in place.
“The three interstate highways and availability of rail and the ability when we need it for air travel all continue to be extremely important to us,” Irvin said. “The highways of Illinois are actually our warehouse, because the parts that are going to be used this afternoon and tomorrow are on the roads of Illinois this morning.”
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Rauner, legislators create “Star Chambers”
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Erickson…
During his campaign for governor, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said he wanted to oversee the most transparent administration in history.
But three months into his term, Rauner’s team won’t reveal who is involved in a series of high-level talks about some of the governor’s most prized pet issues, ranging from his controversial plan to allow local right-to-work laws to an overhaul of state spending.
“They are private meetings,” Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said Thursday. “They are private discussions that we’re keeping confidential to protect the process.” […]
Kelly also wouldn’t answer questions about who is involved in each group, when they are meeting and what subjects are being discussed.
“We’re only saying what the governor has said. That’s all I can give you right now,” Kelly said. “We’re just not talking about them right now. We’re just not commenting on them.”
I was told by the House Speaker’s office yesterday that all info was being kept secret at the behest of the governor’s office.
Look, private negotiations are held all the time at the Statehouse. But this goes well beyond that. This is, instead, a huge, all-encompassing shadow legislative committee structure, with a top secret membership list, meeting in undisclosed places at undisclosed times and with participants who must pledge to keep all proceedings confidential. They even reportedly have a code name for the super-top secret working group charged with examining new revenue options: “Vegas.”
That means people impacted by any potential changes won’t have any input. While some would say it keeps lobbyists out of the process, I would say it means politicians are writing new laws in a vacuum. That’s not only a dangerous precedent, it’s also stupid. They’re not all-knowing gods.
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“Democratic” group raises millions more
Friday, May 1, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rick Pearson…
A billionaire Houston couple heavily involved nationwide in pension and education changes opposed by unions — issues shared by Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel — has contributed $5 million to a state political action committee, campaign finance records showed Thursday.
The donation from John and Laura Arnold to IllinoisGO, short for Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity, is the third-largest individual political donation ever recorded by the Illinois State Board of Elections in more than two decades of electronic record keeping. […]
IllinoisGO also said Chicago businessman Matt Hulsizer has made a multimillion dollar contribution to the PAC, though it has not yet been recorded by the State Board of Elections. Hulsizer is co-founder and CEO of Peak6 Investments L.P. and a minority owner of the Minnesota Wild, which plays the Blackhawks in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning Friday.
Hulsizer has given Stand for Children Illinois $474,000 since 2010. He also gave Emanuel $100,000 for the mayor’s 2011 election, $5,300 for Emanuel’s re-election and $5,300 for Rauner’s 2014 campaign for governor.
Not including the Hulsizer contribution, IllinoisGO has reported $6.5 million in campaign contributions so far. It’s widely believed that the group is merely guarding Gov. Rauner’s left flank.
Gov. Rauner, by the way, just contributed $250,000 to his own campaign fund. However, he did not trigger the self-funding limit because that only applies to contributions within twelve months before his next election. Rauner also contributed $250,000 to his Turnaround Illinois PAC, which will get involved in legislative races.
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Illinois vs. Indiana – Workers’ Compensation
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Illinois is often compared to our neighbor Indiana when it comes to workers’ compensation costs for businesses. Unfortunately, it is not a fair or accurate comparison. Wages are the main driving factor when it comes to workers’ compensation costs. Workers’ compensation benefits (non-medical) are based on a worker’s average weekly wage. On average, Indiana pays its workers 27 percent less than Illinois. Illinois ranks 8th in the country for average weekly wages, while Indiana ranks 35th. Because workers’ compensation replaces lost wages, lower wages in Indiana naturally creates lower workers’ compensation costs.
Indiana businesses may have lower workers’ compensation costs for employers; however workers injured on the job have meager options for their health care under Indiana’s workers’ compensation laws. In addition, Indiana’s early return to work program often forces injured workers back to work sooner than they should be and often leads to re-injury or new injuries.
Workers in Illinois deserve better. A fair and reasonable workers’ compensation system in Illinois helps injured workers get back on their feet and back to work.
For more information on workers’ compensation, click here.
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* From the Tribune editorial board…
Wind and solar generators and a number of environmental groups are pushing for competing legislation called the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill. It would encourage energy conservation and set a target that 35 percent of the state’s electricity supply come from renewal resources. The changes in what’s called the Renewable Portfolio Standard would give a big advantage to wind and solar providers. Yes, this legislation would hike your electric bill.
* The Tribsters endorsed the ComEd bill instead…
ComEd, the Exelon subsidiary that distributes power, wants to change how customers are charged for the distribution system. ComEd says rates would initially fall, then rise, and there would be a “net zero” cost to customers over 10 years. But some customers would pay more and some would pay less depending on their consumption patterns. […]
The strongest argument for a change in law rests with ComEd. It makes a good case that its investments in smart grid technology have paid off in better efficiency and fewer power disruptions. ComEd isn’t seeking a competitive edge — in this niche it doesn’t have competition. It is the only distributor of electricity in northern Illinois.
ComEd says its legislation would improve the smart grid, help apartment dwellers generate their own solar power, and create a network of electric vehicle charging stations.
* Pete Giangreco fires back…
Today’s Chicago Tribune editorial (ironically titled Power play: The battle over your electric bill) shows that went it comes to siding with the powerful, there’s no one quite like the Trib Ed Board. The piece completely ignores studies by Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and Union of Concerned Scientists that say Illinois Clean Jobs bill (HB2607/SB1485 Nekritz/Harmon) is the only one of the three energy bills that saves consumers money — $1.6 billion total or an average residential savings of nearly $100 a year going forward according to CUB. The funny part is that the Trib editorial also ignores ComEd’s own admission that their bill (as well as the one pushed by parent company Exelon) are actually the ones that raise your electric bill.
Furthermore, The Trib completely misunderstands what the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is. Like a lot of things in Springfield, it’s broken and complicated, and Illinois Clean Jobs bill is the only one that fixes it and allows the free market to operate in Illinois like it does in states like New York and Massachusetts, where solar and wind are taking off. It’s odd that the Trib is against getting government barriers out of the way of the free market that could create 32,000 clean energy jobs per year when fully implemented, but when you are in the tank, you are in the tank.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* LA Times…
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld state laws that bar elected judges from asking for money to support their campaigns.
In a 5-4 decision, the court rejected a free-speech claim brought by a Florida judge.
“Judges are not politicians, even when they come to the bench by way of the ballot,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority. “A state may assure its people that judges will apply the law without fear or favor — and without having personally asked anyone for money.”
The decision marks one of the few times the high court has rejected a free-speech claim involving politics and campaigning. Roberts split from the court’s four conservative justices to uphold the Florida law. […]
“Hostility to campaigning by judges entitles the people of Florida to amend their Constitution to replace judicial elections with the selection of judges by lawyers’ committees,” Scalia said. “It does not entitle the Florida Supreme Court to adopt, or this court to endorse, a rule of judicial conduct that abridges candidates’ speech in the judicial election that the Florida Constitution prescribes.”
* That’s already the case here. From the Illinois Supreme Court Rules…
A [judicial] candidate shall not personally solicit or accept campaign contributions.
A candidate may establish committees of responsible persons to conduct campaigns for the candidate through media advertisements, brochures, mailings, candidate forums and other means not prohibited by law. Such committees may solicit and accept reasonable campaign contributions, manage the expenditure of funds for the candidate’s campaign and obtain public statements of support for his or her candidacy.
Such committees are not prohibited from soliciting and accepting reasonable campaign contributions and public support from lawyers.
Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to ban attorneys from contributing directly to judicial campaigns. However, he can’t stop them from forming a 501(c)(4) dark money group or even likely ban them from forming an independent expenditures committee. Attorneys could also contribute to the state parties.
* The Question: Should Illinois ban attorneys from contributing directly to judicial campaign committees? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
survey services
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* Tribune…
In the latest controversy over state exams, Illinois is in hot water with the federal government for not administrating statewide science tests this school year.
Failure to give the exams is a violation of the law, according to a stern letter from the U.S. Department of Education, and the Illinois State Board of Education has been placed in what the federal agency calls “high-risk status” for not complying with testing requirements.
The letter dated April 20 states that the board must come up with a plan and timeline by June 30 to come into compliance and give the science assessments in 2015-16.
“We’re working on our plan to provide a science assessment in 2015-16 and will submit it to the U.S. Department of Education by June 30, per the letter,” board spokeswoman Mary Fergus said Wednesday in an email to the Tribune.
* From the letter…
Due to the significance of its non-compliance and the fact that the pilot assessments administered in 2014–2015 will not result in information about student performance that can be shared with parents and teachers to inform instruction, I am placing ISBE on high-risk status under 34 C.F.R. § 80.12.
ISBE must fully implement its new science assessments in SY 2015−16 to come into compliance with section 1111(b)(3)(A) of the ESEA and 34 C.F.R. § 200.2(a)(1). As a condition of its high-risk status, the ISBE must provide a detailed plan and timeline to the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) by June 30, 2015, in order to address this non-compliance issue for SY 2015–2016.
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It’s just a bill…
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* But it appears to be a good idea…
A proposed law that would allow college students to sign off on their universities sharing mental health information with their parents cleared an Illinois Senate committee today, paving its way for a final vote in the General Assembly.
It was inspired by the Predmore family of Bartonville, who tragically lost their son Chris to suicide last year. Under current law, his college could not talk to his parents about his mental health struggles.
A number of recent studies indicate that psychological problems are a growing issue on college campuses. For example, a survey found that that 70 percent of college counseling center directors believe that the number of students with severe psychological problems has increased in recent years. Surveys of college students themselves have shown that depression and anxiety have skyrocketed over the past several decades – perhaps as many as a quarter or third of students meet criteria for anxiety or depression during college. […]
The legislation would give newly enrolled college students the opportunity to authorize the university to share mental health records with their parents or other trusted adults. The university would only share information when students are found to be a danger to themselves or others.
* Meanwhile, oof…
In a rare open feud between two McHenry County state lawmakers, Rep. Jack Franks is asking Senate President John Cullerton to remove Sen. Pam Althoff as chief sponsor of his recently passed government consolidation bill.
The Illinois House on a 61-40 vote last Friday passed House Bill 229, a bill by Franks, D-Marengo, that would grant the McHenry and Lake county boards the same power to eliminate certain units of government that DuPage County was granted by state lawmakers. But Franks alleges that Althoff, R-McHenry, intends to either kill the bill or strip McHenry County from it.
An effort to talk Althoff into handing the bill over to Sen. Melinda Bush, a former Lake County Board member who supports it, failed late Tuesday, both Franks and Bush, D-Grayslake, confirmed. Franks said that Althoff asked for a number of concessions that he said were unreasonable because he does not want any exemptions or “sacred cows.” General Assembly rules allow the sponsor of a bill to request in writing to have a chief sponsor removed if he or she intends to kill it.
“She’s doing this purely for political reasons to protect entrenched interests and fiefdoms to keep our property taxes high. There’s no other reason. She’s supported this bill before,” Franks said, referring to the Senate’s vote years ago to grant DuPage County some ability to eliminate certain governments.
* Small, but vocal…
State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25) riled local education activists last week for opposing a bill that would let students opt out of taking state administered tests.
HB 306 – introduced by state Rep. Will Guzzardi in January – is currently under consideration in the Illinois House. Last Monday, Currie cast one of three votes recommending against an amended version of the bill in the five-member House Elementary and Secondary Education: Licensing Oversight Committee.
More than 15 local activists led by Hyde Parker Joy Clendenning staged a protest last Tuesday in front of Currie’s Hyde Park office, 1303 E. 53rd St., after the bill lost the committee’s support.
“We feel that with 24 co-sponsors in the House – and we know a good number of legislators are ready to vote for this bill – that she is absolutely thwarting the democratic process here,” Clendenning said.
* And in other news…
Caseyville Township trustees have warned citizens they’ll be forced to increase customers’ sewer service rates if two bills in the Illinois General Assembly that regulate tap-on fees are made law, but the bills’ sponsors — and local developer Darwin Miles — say Caseyville is a “rogue township” that’s been price-gouging for years.
Supporters of the new regulations say the township is using scare tactics to preserve a “cash cow.”
For example, Caseyville Township charges a tap-on fee of $2,000 per fixture to commercial businesses and non-profits, such as churches. That means a developer building a 128-room hotel in the Shiloh area served by the township would pay a tap-on fee of $260,000.
Caseyville Township trustees recently sent a letter to each of their 9,000-plus sewer customers warning that their sewer bills could as much as triple if House Bill 3309 and Senate Bill 1815 pass.
The House bill, sponsored by state Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, requires townships with their own sewer and water plants to limit the tap-on fees charged to people building new homes or businesses to 1/6 of the estimated yearly cost of sewer and water service.
Senate Bill 1815, sponsored by state Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, sets standard sewer and water tap-on fee schedules for new homes, apartment buildings and businesses based on the size of water meter they’ll use. Because state law contains no standards, townships currently can come up with their own rates and fees. For years, new businesses, non-profits such as churches, and residents building homes have complained that Caseyville Township’s tap-on fees far exceed neighboring utilities.
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Caption contest!
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Rauner at the Citizens Club of Springfield earlier this week…
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Lincoln’s last ride
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From WUIS…
The nation went into mourning when, just after the Civil War had finally ended, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. No one alive today can remember, but a class project may make you get a sense of what it was like, or at least what went on.
Students at the University of Illinois Springfield began “live-tweeting” on April 14 - the date that that Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater back in 1865. They’ve continued, tweeting in real time — 150 years after the fact — about the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth, and the funeral cortege from Washington, D.C. to Springfield. Amanda Vinicky spoke with UIS professor Ken Owen about the project, and his class on history in digital media.
If you want to read the “live tweets” follow @AbesLastRide… (T)he Looking for Lincoln project is doing something similar using the twitter handle @ElizaStavely (a journalist in 1865). .
* I put together a ScribbleLive feed…
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Your daily “right to work” roundup
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Nothing from the governor’s office yet. But they can take this one off the board…
[Westville] Village trustees reversed their support of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed Turnaround Agenda on Tuesday night by rescinding a resolution approved at their April 14 meeting.
Just two weeks ago, the Westville village council passed a resolution supporting the governor’s proposal, which calls for changes in the state’s prevailing wage act as well as creating certain right-to-work free enterprise zones and granting local governments more authority when negotiating with government employee unions.
Mayor Mike Weese said after doing more research on the governor’s proposal and after taking several calls from residents, he just felt that there were parts of the Turnaround Agenda that he could not support.
* Meanwhile…
* Perhaps a Connecticut harbinger of Illinois things to come?…
A law firm representing ex-Gov. John G. Rowland agreed to a legal stipulation which acknowledged that the “driving force” behind Rowland’s layoff of 2,500 state workers in 2003 was his “animus” toward unionized employees, state Attorney George Jepsen said Wednesday.
Jepsen said that the “highly particularized stipulation of facts” didn’t use the word “animus,” but its overall effect helped to persuade the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in mid-2013 to uphold a state employee union coalition’s claim in a lawsuit that Rowland and his budget chief, Marc Ryan, acted illegally by targeting union members for layoffs while sparing nonunion employees.
The damaging stipulation was a major factor cited by Jepsen at a press conference Wednesday in explaining why his office negotiated a settlement that’s expected to cost taxpayers at least $100 million to end a 12-year-old lawsuit filed over the layoffs by the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC).
The settlement – which would mostly be awarded to employees in the form of extra vacation and personal leave time – is preferable to the risk of the state’s being slapped with paying damages of $300 million or more, Jepsen said.
At a briefing for reporters in his office at 55 Elm St., Jepsen also said that the stipulation of facts by Rowland’s defense counsel included an admission that the layoffs didn’t save the state any money because unions had already offered contract concessions of greater value.
* Related…
* Anti-union measure fails in Mt. Vernon
* Kane County board’s draft resolution calling for reform draws critics
* Charter school teachers fight to unionize, and to win over Rahm
* Feud threatens UNO schools
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Liberal “think tank” formed here
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* John Kamis has been planning to roll this thing out for well over a year…
Leading Illinois liberals are forming a well-endowed new think tank here, hoping to offset the influence of Gov. Bruce Rauner and resurgent conservative Republicans.
The new Innovation Illinois will be led by former aides to ex-Gov. Pat Quinn with a board chaired by Christopher Kennedy, who recently stepped down as chair of the University of Illinois board. Focusing on research and public commentary, it is designed to serve as a sort of counterweight to the Illinois Policy Institute, a libertarian group that has rolled out policy papers on pensions and other items and helped staff Rauner’s administration.
“Too often in Springfield, the debates leave out the poor and the working class,” said co-founder John Kamis, a former city staffer and attorney who oversaw Quinn’s performance-based budgeting panel. “Good policy moves from the inside out. We want to provide a voice.” […]
The message the group really wants to get out is that “sometimes, government does things that are good,” Saddler said. That means talking about issues such as education, labor, health care and entrepreneurism—and most particularly about big budget cuts that Rauner has proposed in most of those areas, he said. […]
The group already has received “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in financial backing, with the source of some but not all of it eventually to be disclosed, Kamis said. The group will not formally lobby or endorse candidates.
Whatever you think of the Illinois Policy Institute, you have to admit that it’s PR blitz over the past few years has been amazingly effective. Not only is the group regularly quoted in news stories and its top dogs invited onto TV and radio programs, but its free “news service” has been lapped up by papers across the state. It’s also placed a new emphasis this year on bipartisan legislation. Kamis, et al will have a lot of catching up to do.
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The FY 2016 dance finally begins
Thursday, Apr 30, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers about this yesterday…
With just weeks left before Illinois’ 2016 budget must be passed, Democratic leaders and GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner remain far apart on how to bridge a $6 billion revenue gap.
A memo circulated by Senate Democrats late Tuesday questions roughly $5.8 billion in savings in Rauner’s proposed $32 billion budget. The caucus suggests the proposal may not only violate a provision of the Illinois constitution, which promises employee benefits shall not be “diminished or impaired,” but also likely requires changes to state law and federal policies and requires negotiations with labor unions.
Among the senators’ concerns is that cutting $1.5 billion from the Medicaid health care program for the poor, which is funded by state and federal dollars, would require federal approval.
Lawmakers began meeting this week to work on the governor’s “Turnaround Agenda,” a set of pro-business priorities Rauner wants the Legislature to approve in exchange for consenting to new revenue to save programs near and dear to Democrats. Without that grand bargain, the governor’s proposed spending plan would balance the budget entirely by slashing spending for things like Medicaid, human services programs and state employees’ group health care. The plan also includes a roughly $300 million increase to K-12 education, which the governor has identified as a top priority.
I’ve also been telling subscribers about that Rauner threat to withhold support for new revenues unless the Dems cut a deal on his “Turnaround Agenda.” This is a very high stakes game, campers.
* The full memo…
Here’s a rack up of some of the budget challenges faced by the Rauner administration as they negotiate FY16 through working groups.
Many of their plans require changes to state law, court challenges and federal approval. As you know – bills haven’t been filed yet.
Pension Reform: $2.2 billion
Problem: Constitutional challenges.
Cut Medicaid: $1.5 billion
Problem: Requires change in state law and federal approval.
Eliminate College Insurance Program and Teachers Retirement Insurance Program: $113 million
Problem: Requires change in state law that anticipates litigation.
Cut Group Health: $570 million
Problem: Subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Cut Funding for Local Governments: $913 million
Problem: Requires a change in state law.
Cut Dedicated Human Services Programs: $492 million
Problem: Violates consent decrees, judicial orders and some state and federal laws.
Total Hole: $5.788 billion
* The Rauner administration’s response…
Rauner’s deputy chief of staff Mike Schrimpf said it’s been known for months that the governor’s budget, introduced in mid-February, is contingent on “statutory changes” to state law.
“The governor is committed to making structural changes to state government,” Schrimpf said. “The Senate Democrats have known that since February 18, as has anybody who’s been paying attention.”
The required statutory changes will make it tougher to get this budget passed because legislators will be forced to take two very tough votes - one to change state law (or the constitution) and the other on the appropriations bill.
* Speaking of the 2016 budget…
Local officials from throughout Illinois descended Wednesday on the Capitol, lending their voices to the growing coalition of groups opposed to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget plan.
Along with labor unions, college students, Amtrak riders, social service agencies, and Democrats, mayors of both political stripes said the governor’s proposal for a 50 percent cut to the municipal share of state income taxes would be a devastating blow to local finances. […]
State Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, said he disagrees with Rauner’s plan to cut social service programs.
“I’m just not going to vote for that,” Arroyo told his colleagues during a House budget hearing.
Yeah, well, he’s gonna have to vote for something or we’re never getting outta here.
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* From the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute…
There has been a significant increase in support in Illinois for legalizing gay marriage, according to a series of polls by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
The issue is back in the news with the U.S. Supreme Court considering marriage equality issues, and Institute polls show a dramatic evolution of support in the state during the past six years.
The most recent Simon Poll, conducted Feb. 28 to March 10, shows 54.9 percent of registered Illinois voters in support of marriage equality; 20.0 percent favoring civil unions; 18.4 percent opposed to both, and 6.7 percent unsure. The survey of 1,000 voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Opposition to gay marriage has faded across the board in the state, including among Republicans, conservatives and evangelicals.
The issue of gay marriage has appeared in nearly every statewide Simon Poll since 2009. In that time, opinion has gone from being almost equally divided between those favoring full-marriage rights or civil unions versus no legal recognition at all, also called “traditional marriage,” to a solid majority favoring full-marriage rights for the past three Simon Polls since February 2014.
When support for civil unions is incorporated, three-fourths of Illinoisans (74.9 percent) now see a place for legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
* More…
The poll also found:
• Support for marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples is not limited to liberals and Democrats. Among Illinois Republicans, over two-thirds (67.8 percent) support some type of legal recognition with 38.0 percent of respondents in the latest Simon Poll (March 2015) favoring full-marriage equality and with another 29.8 percent favoring civil unions. Just over a quarter (27.7 percent) of GOP supporters say there should be no legal recognition for same-sex couples.
The 2015 result is notable compared to its 2009 counterpart, in which nearly half (47.7 percent) of Republicans took the no-legal-rights stance and only one in ten favored full marriage rights.
• Opposition to legal recognition among evangelicals in Illinois has also faded. In 2009, 70.9 percent opposed any legal recognition for same-sex relationships. Today, that number is 45.7 percent. There are 49.1 percent of evangelicals who either support gay marriage or civil unions.
In 2009, only 4.1 percent of evangelicals favored full recognition. Today, that figure is 23.4 percent.
“Perhaps the most surprising development is the transforming views among evangelicals,” said Kent Dolezal, Simon Graduate Research Fellow. “Finding more in support of some legal recognition than not is a development which may have an impact going into the Republican presidential primaries.”
• Opinion among Independents also underwent a shift between the February 2013 and February 2014 Simon Poll. Although a clear majority of Independents favored some sort of legal recognition by 2013, February 2014 saw support for full legal rights reach nearly 60 percent. In the same time frame, those favoring civil unions dropped from 46 percent to 14 percent.
• Support is strongest among Democrats, with over 60 percent in favor of full rights since 2013, up from four in ten in 2009. From an ideological perspective, liberals currently favor marriage equality at a rate topping 75 percent. Moderates have seen their support go from just over one-third (33.6 percent) in 2009 to nearly two-thirds (65.9 percent) in the latest Simon Poll.
• From 2010 to 2015, conservative views shifted dramatically. In 2010, 15.6 percent of conservatives supported same-sex marriage. By, this year, that figure grew to 31.8 percent. Those who opposed any legal recognition of same-sex marriage dropped from 41.7 percent to 29.2 percent.
• At 66.5 percent, marriage equality sees its strongest support in Chicago, a nearly 30-point increase since 2009. The Chicago suburbs see majority support (55.6 percent), with Downstate residents nearing half at 46 percent. Downstate results also demonstrate the dramatic 2013-14 shift when support went from 27.8 percent to 42.5 percent.
More here.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Newspapers are sounding the alarm about the Exelon bailout bill.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Exelon’s Rate-Hike Proposal is a Bad Bill”
A bad bill in Springfield would raise our electricity bills to protect Exelon’s bottom line. The Legislature should either rewrite it significantly or flick the off switch altogether.
There is a feeling here of a company trying to socialize the risks while keeping the profits private.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “THIS ‘MARKET SOLUTION’ ONLY BENEFITS EXELON”
You know you’ve got a good thing going when profitability is only a bailout away…
Bailouts for profitable enterprises? That’s not the kind of juice that ratepayers should be shelling out for.
Belleville News Democrat: “DON’T FALL FOR EXELON BAILOUT”
Businesses and governments can learn how much the bailout would cost them at www.noexelonbailout.com/calculator.
Just say no to the Exelon bailout. Vote no on SB1585/HB3293.
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It’s just a bill…
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* But this one may be important. Lisa Ryan…
A proposal in the Illinois Senate would make sure students are completely recovered from concussions before returning to athletics or the classroom.
Each year, there are 200,000 concussion-related emergency room visits for children and teenagers in the U.S. For one Chicago lawmaker, that’s not just a statistic.
Both of Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul’s kids have sustained concussions. Raoul says his teenage daughter, Mizan, is still recovering from one she received one when she was playing basketball in January. At first, nobody realized it was a concussion. […]
A proposal Raoul is sponsoring would expand high school concussion policies to elementary and middle schools. It also requires guidelines for when students can return to school and athletics after sustaining a concussion.
* Seth Richardson has more…
Raoul said the legislation is not a mandate with any sort of penalties. Each district would form a concussion plan and team based on resources available.
Schools currently have to follow Illinois High School Association regulations when deciding if a player can return. However, those rules only apply to high schools, while Raoul’s bill would extend to both middle and grade schools.
IHSA associate director Kurt Gibson, who has previously said he was skeptical of the bill, said he is now a supporter since it requires each district to come up with a concussion policy based on their resources.
* This looks like a reprinted press release…
State Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit Illinois from double taxing income that is earned in another state when the taxpayer’s home office is based in Illinois.
“Right now Illinois residents are taxed on most income received in other states, rather than just income earned in Illinois,” said Manley. “This wouldn’t be an issue if the other states didn’t also tax those wages, but they do. Our working families are being hit hard enough with the many different taxes that are imposed upon them, and the last thing we should be doing is taxing them twice on the same income.”
Manley introduced House Bill 675, to prevent the double taxation of certain income for Illinois residents. Under current law, if an Illinois resident earns income from another state then that person is required to pay taxes in both states under certain circumstances. The legislation would instead only tax the wages earned in Illinois based on the number of work days the employee is performing services in Illinois. Out-of-state earnings would be excluded from Illinois income taxes.
“We are the only state that implements this double taxation, and it hurts our taxpayers,” Manley said.
I say it looks like a press release because the bill didn’t make it out of the House by last Friday’s deadline and is now in Rules.
* Another press release…
Illinois is joining several other states in passing legislation that would dramatically increase the potential liability for marketers in the event of a data breach. The Illinois Senate voted 35-13 to approve a bill (SB1833) drafted by the Illinois Attorney General that would add “consumer marketing information” to the definition of personal information under the state’s data breach law. It would require notification if there is a breach of “information related to a consumer’s online browsing history, online search history, or purchasing history.” Illinois Bill SB1833 now moves to the Illinois House of Representatives, where it will likely have substantial support.
At first blush this certainly sounds appealing considering all the data breaches that have occurred in recent times; however, for those that market products on the internet, the inconsistent laws across the country are truly a field of potential liability landmines. […]
This unprecedented expansion of the scope of the current data breach law could cost Illinois companies millions of dollars each year to protect non-sensitive information that poses no material risk of identity theft or financial harm to residents. In addition, consumers could eventually succumb to “notice fatigue” if they receive notices about breaches that involve no serious risk of harm to them.
* And moving along to Chicago…
When Chicago’s most powerful alderman began pushing for legislation that could mean big money for a major industry, it seemed only a matter of time before Edward Burke got a generous campaign contribution from someone who stood to benefit.
The City Council proposal that would promote the ethanol business has not yet been approved.
But the check for Burke, the Council’s $10 million man, is not stuck in the mail.
The Archer Daniels Midland Co. — the local agribusiness giant that’s among the world’s biggest ethanol producers — recently gave $20,000 to a political committee led by Burke.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Aaron Schock once broadcast his worldly travels on Instagram for all to see.
But two weeks after a campaign donor filed a federal lawsuit against the former congressman, an attorney for the donor said Wednesday he can’t track the Peoria Republican down.
Attorney Daniel Kurowski told U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood he hasn’t managed to serve Schock with the lawsuit brought April 15 by his client, Howard Foster of Chicago, who gave $500 to Schock’s campaign in 2012. […]
Kurowski said his firm tried to serve Schock at a Peoria address that Schock previously listed on forms with the Federal Election Commission. But Kurowski said the property is now vacant. He also said attorneys who appear to have represented Schock in the past have not responded to his firm’s inquiries.
* The Question: Where in the world is Aaron Schock?
Snark is suggested, unless you actually know where he is.
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Strangest. Game. Ever.
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
The game between the White Sox and Orioles will be observed, just not by paying fans.
After the Orioles announced that Wednesday’s game would be closed to the public due to security concerns stemming from this week’s violence in Baltimore, the Orioles prepared for a full press box, with 92 seats for the writing press assigned to media members and outlets.
Scouts and an undisclosed number of employees also are allowed to attend, according to an Orioles spokesman.
Grounds crew members worked on the field as usual about four hours before the game, but the videoboard and scoreboard showed blank black screens. The dry erase board in the press box sporting the day’s lineups already had an attendance of zero written in marker.
It is believed to be the first major-league game ever to be closed to the public, according to a Baseball Hall of Fame representative and an MLB historian. But the game will be televised by the teams’ local TV outlets.
The team didn’t want to divert police and military resources away from potential trouble spots.
* Sun-Times…
t will look weird, to be sure, with nothing but more than 45,000 seats surrounding a major-league field, two teams, four umpires, a couple of coaching staffs and scouts. Media will be present in the press box, most of them silent — except for broadcasters such as Ken Harrelson and Steve Stone, the Sox’ TV broadcast team.
As quiet as it will be, it’s not out of the question that players will hear Harrelson making a call, especially if it’s that patented “You can put it on the board, yes!” he’s known for.
“We’re right behind home plate, so I imagine some of them will hear some things,’’ Harrelson said. “With that little circle we’re backed in now, it’s like a megaphone going out.”
Harrelson has never called a game in an empty stadium. Nobody ever has, for that matter, not in major-league baseball. After having the games on Monday and Tuesday postponed because of rioting in Baltimore, MLB and the Orioles, citing safety reasons, decided to play the last game of the series at 1:05 p.m., in daylight hours instead of at night. The game will be televised in the Chicago area on Channel 50.
* Dan Connolly at The Baltimore Sun…
I drove through the city to the park and it was eerie. People were walking around the downtown streets, but there was very little traffic. It seemed like a Sunday morning, until I pulled into the warehouse lot and there were three Humvees filled with soldiers driving out of the lot.
It’s going to be a very strange day.
* More from the Sun…
Baltimore continues to recover from Monday night’s riots, and on Wednesday, some normalcy may be restored.
City school students will return to class, the Orioles will play, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is holding a free concert.
Police arrested 10 people a variety of charges, including looting and disorderly conduct, including seven for breaking the newly instituted citywide curfew after it began at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said. A group faced off with police in West Baltimore. […]
The post-curfew arrests were in addition to the 235 during the riots Tuesday that prompted Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to announce the weeklong curfew and Gov. Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency and request the U.S. National Guard to assist in policing the city.
Let’s keep it civil in comments, please.
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The McCarter agenda
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) talks about tackling the state’s $6 billion Fiscal Year 2016 budget hole…
McCarter said his focus is on eliminating waste and fraud, and believes the cost savings from those cuts will offset the pain from the budget cuts. […]
McCarter said the state can’t borrow more money and shouldn’t raise taxes. […]
As far as the students’ concerns about the impact of a 30-percent funding cut to SIUE, he said he believes more students attending will make the difference. […]
To get out of the budget crunch, McCarter said, Illinois’ culture is going to have to change. He said he believes the state should not provide welfare programs — that it is the job of churches and private organizations to care for the needy.
In Illinois, McCarter said, they have created an “entitlement culture” that has “enslaved millions.” Instead, he said, he’d like to see tax incentives for private organizations to take up the role of government in caring for the needy.
In Indiana, he said, they dealt with budget problems by shutting down all rest areas for a year and stopping all services at driver’s license facilities that could be provided via the Internet.
Undefined waste, no tax hikes, a hoped-for student population explosion, abdicating service to the most needy, and closing down rest areas.
Whew.
* Meanwhile, from the Illinois Policy Institute…
A behind-the-scenes budget battle is brewing over a proposal that would limit the amount of money siphoned from Illinois taxpayers to fill local government coffers. The Local Government Distributive Fund, or LGDF, takes a portion of Illinoisans’ state income taxes and then sends it to counties and municipalities.
As a result of this system, there are some clear winners and losers. That’s because the LGDF doles out money to counties and local governments based on population. In fiscal year 2014, the state took $1.25 billion in income-tax revenues – which was the equivalent of 6 percent of total income-tax revenues – from taxpayers to send to 102 counties and 1,298 municipalities in Illinois.
The state collected almost $103 million in personal income taxes from DuPage County taxpayers for the LGDF fund. But municipal-level governments across the county plus the county government received a combined total of just under $81 million in LGDF payments, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue.
That means DuPage County gets back just 79 cents for every dollar it pays into the LGDF. While DuPage County receives a smaller proportion of LGDF funding than its taxpayers contributed, other counties across the state receive more than their taxpayers contributed.
The Institute’s solution? No, it’s not about basing revenue sharing on per capita revenue.
* It’s this…
A recent proposal by Gov. Bruce Rauner would be an important first step in eventually doing away with this scheme and allowing Illinoisans to keep more of their hard-earned income.
The state income-tax rate is 3.75 percent (down from 5 percent in 2014) while the amount distributed via the LGDF is the equivalent of 8 percent of total income-tax revenues (up from 6 percent in 2014). Instead of putting 8 percent of state income-tax revenue into the LGDF, the governor’s proposed budget would distribute 4 percent to counties and municipalities.
No one wants to see their budget cut, but the state’s fiscal crisis is not going to leave any area of government immune from belt-tightening. This proposal represents an average amount equal to a 3 percent reduction in counties’ total general-fund budgets, but it also sets the stage for devolving power from Springfield back to units of local government.
In tandem with LGDF reform, local governments should insist upon reducing the burden of unfunded state mandates, more control over property-tax rates and other local tax rates, and generally returning more control to local governments – where they rightfully belong.
So, lemme get this straight. Slash their revenue sharing, freeze their local property taxes (as Rauner wants, but is not mentioned above), trim their unfunded mandates and that somehow means power will magically “devolve” from Springfield back to local government and they’ll have more control over their local property tax rates - which were frozen by the state?
Look, times is tough all over. I get that. Local governments may very well have to take a hit. But nobody will ever convince them that taking away their state revenue sharing dough is a good thing, long term or short term - even with the reverse class warfare rhetoric.
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Meat Loaf is state fair bound
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Offered without comment…
Five new acts have joined the Illinois State Fair Grandstand lineup, including The Fray, Meatloaf and Styx.
The Fray, a rock/pop group from Denver, will make a stop in Springfield on Thursday, Aug. 20, with opening act Andy Grammer. […]
The rock acts Meat Loaf, Styx and Tesla also are joining the lineup for the 2015 Illinois State Fair. Meat Loaf is best known for hit songs “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).” He will headline the concert Wednesday, Aug. 19. […]
Other Grandstand acts announced so far include: Sammy Hagar and The Circle with Collective Soul on Aug. 14; Justin Moore with Josh Thompson and Jon Pardi on Aug. 16; Rascal Flatts with Scotty McCreery and Raelynn on Aug. 18; Hank Williams Jr. with .38 Special on Aug. 21; Austin Mahone with Kalin & Myles and Laura Marano on Aug. 22; and Brantley Gilbert with Colt Ford and Michael Ray on Aug. 23.
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Don Moss passes away
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Vickie Kean…
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Don passed away this morning. Naydene, as always, was by his side.
We have lost both a leader and a friend, but he will be long remembered. Our prayers go out to his family.
Funeral services will be private but cards or letters of remembrance may be sent to Naydene at this address and I will be sure that she receives them.
Vickie Kean
Don Moss & Associates
310 East Adams
Springfield, IL 62701
May he rest in peace.
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It’s only going to get worse
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Fiscal Year 2015 budget fix is still reverberating…
Katharine Gricevich told the Senate higher education committee Tuesday the $8.4 million cut made by Gov. Bruce Rauner as part of a budget fix means about 3,000 eligible students won’t receive grants this fiscal year through the state’s Monetary Award Program. She is the commission’s director of government relations. […]
About 128,000 students are expected to receive MAP grants this year.
* WHBF-TV…
The state has slashed more than $50 million of their Medicaid funding for the rest of this fiscal year. The cuts stem from legislation that was passed to try to fill this year’s budget hole, but health care providers say federal guidelines prohibited some of the cuts to nursing homes.
“We have staffing standards from the state of Illinois, we have mandated services from the federal government that we have to provide,” said Steve Wannemacher of the Health Care Council of Illinois.
Nursing home officials said they’re scrambling to figure out how to make their funds stretch through June. They’re look to make cuts in areas like administration, transportation and dining.
* Finke…
Pat Comstock, executive director of the Health Care Council of Illinois, said nursing homes expected to see a $27 million reduction as a result of what state lawmakers approved.
“Our members were prepared for that,” she said.
But when the Rauner administration announced the additional cuts late last week, the total hit to nursing homes had risen to $55 million.
The administration said that some areas of the budget could not be reduced because of federal restrictions or court mandates. As a result, other areas had to take a deeper reduction, and one of those was Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes. Nursing homes face a 12.6 percent reduction in rates.
“Medicaid is the core of our business,” Wilson said.
None of this is welcomed news. None of this can be celebrated.
But, man, there’s a $6 billion Fiscal Year 2016 budget hole staring this state in the face. So, if you think the screaming is loud now, just wait a few weeks.
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* Tom Kacich…
David Gill, who has run for Congress four times, says he’ll probably make it a fifth in 2016.
This time, he said, he intends to run as an independent, not a Democrat.
Gill filed a one-page statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on April 7.
Ironically, he probably would have been elected to Congress in 2012 if not for the candidacy of independent John Hartman. Gill lost to Republican Rodney Davis by 1,002 votes, or less than half a percentage point, in November 2012. Hartman got 21,319 votes in the race, or about 7 percent of the votes cast.
* The News-Gazette editorial board looks at the impact Gill’s candidacy could have on incumbent GOP Congressman Rodney Davis…
If he stays true to his plans, it sets the stage for Gill and the eventual Democratic nominee to split the anti-Davis vote, ensuring the Republican’s re-election
Why is that a likely scenario? That’s what happened when in 2012 when Gill lost his close race to Davis. A third candidate, independent John Hartman, a liberal like Gill, collected roughly 21,000 votes in a contest Gill lost to Davis by 1,002 votes. Gill and Davis disagree about whose campaign Hartman hurt more, but Hartman’s presence on the ballot clearly had a decisive impact.
Gill, an honorable and sincere person, remains haunted by the thought of what might have been in 2012. He pines to serve in the national legislature and help promote the policies he believes to be in this country’s best interests.
But an independent candidate’s path to electoral success in a two-party system is a tough one. More likely, he will play a spoiler. That’s why Davis and local Republicans can only be pleased with Gill’s plan for 2016.
There are a ton of college students in that district and they turn out in presidential years. The News-Gazette is probably right.
* But first Gill has to get onto the ballot…
Not only does Gill have to collect approximately 15,000 signatures to get on the 2016 ballot, but he’s got a limited amount of time to gather them.
“There’s a 90-day window,” said Jim Tenuto, assistant executive director of the State Board of Elections. “It usually starts sometime in September.”
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Frerichs releases internal audit results
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* We’re coming a bit late to this story. Sorry about that…
An independent review of the Illinois state treasurer’s office released Monday found problems with internship hiring that favored those with political connections and other programs in need of overhaul.
Democrat Mike Frerichs, having reached the symbolic benchmark 100 days in office, released the results of the audit he promised after becoming the state’s chief investment officer in January. He said he will closely review the report’s recommendations and emphasized initiatives on which he has embarked. […]
The report highlighted a paid internship program that gave positions to young people with connections to influential politicians, campaign donors and lobbyists. The “clout-heavy” program had no formal procedures for how the interns were recruited or managed, the audit said. […]
The report also found that a scholarship framework funded by fees from the office’s college savings program lacks basic management rules. Frerichs’ office said 300 scholarships averaging $1,000 were awarded after 2006 without proper record-keeping, management and distribution.
* From an SJ-R editorial…
Between May and September 2012, Rutherford’s office spent $158,504 to pay 51 interns. From May to September 2013, the office spent $170,936 to pay 58 interns.
Rutherford announced his candidacy for governor in June 2013. A 2014 report in the Chicago Sun-Times that looked at the identities of the interns found that many were referred by elected officials, lobbyists, donors and political workers.
Rutherford denied that clout had anything to do with who received summer jobs. Unfortunately, there was little documentation to conclude that it didn’t, either.
The same can be said for the home-based “community affairs” treasurer employees who, according to Frerichs, were not properly supervised, who cost the state more in mileage reimbursements than office-based workers would have, and who were not effectively sited around the state. Without proper recordkeeping, it’s impossible to gauge their value or to know what they were doing on state time.
* Tom Kacich…
But the review also noted that Frerichs may want to consider increasing the number of employees in cash management (now one) and investment (four) “as Illinois appears to have fewer employees dedicated to these functions than other states.”
It also suggested that the office’s information technology is outdated.
“The systems in place today were created 15-20 years ago through internal staff design and development. These systems were built based on the business processes that existed at the time, were designed and developed individually, and enhanced over time as resources were available,” Plante Moran said. “This has created systems that operate in silos, do not share data, and are not allowing the business to become more efficient through the use of technology.”
* Illinois Radio Network…
Frerichs says an audit – conducted by a firm which volunteered its services – showed not enough accountability in the unclaimed property program and not enough oversight of treasurer’s employees working from their homes. And then there’s another problem.
“The office was named” in the sexual harassment suit against Frerichs’ predecessor, Dan Rutherford. Frerichs continued, “I’ve inherited this. We’re working with the attorney general’s office, trying to reach a resolution soon – we’re trying to – well, that’s probably all my attorney wants me to say about pending lawsuits, litigation.”
Discuss.
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The Dems need to start thinking ahead
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Brown writes about the newly revamped proposal to put a legislative redistricting reform proposal before the voters next year…
(Y)ou can expect Illinois Democrats, who currently control both chambers of the Legislature, to dig in against the commission proposal.
There will be those who don’t want to do anything right now that might help new Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner tip the balance of power away from the Democrats, just as there will be those who think this is a great way to mess with House Speaker Madigan.
A redistricting commission wouldn’t even be appointed until 2021, with its first map to take effect the following year.
It would be extremely shortsighted to judge long-term structural changes on the basis of getting back at individual personalities, who may or may not still be in power then.
I would argue that the Democrats need to start thinking ahead. If Gov. Rauner is reelected, he will almost certainly refuse to sign any Democratic-drawn map. That’ll push the issue to a drawing, where each party will have a 50-50 chance of creating the new district boundaries.
* Meanwhile, from the Trib…
Petition-driven efforts to ask voters to change the state’s governing document are extremely limited by the Illinois Constitution.
In striking down the redistricting proposal last year, [Judge Mary Mikva] ruled that provisions that would prevent any of the commissioners from holding various appointed or elected offices for 10 years was an unconstitutional limitation on qualifications to serve in the legislature. That provision was removed in the renewed effort.
To get on the ballot, the proposal would require the valid signatures of 290,216 Illinois voters. A State Board of Elections review of signatures in the previous effort found it likely that the proposal lacked the number needed. This time around, supporters have hired a paid petition-gathering group that has shown success in getting signatures.
“We know we’re going to have challenges in the court system on the constitutionality of the amendment. We know we’re going to have challenges to the petition signatures. We’re very confident we’ll get through that,” FitzSimons said. “Can things go wrong? Things can always go wrong. But again, building on the earlier campaigns, we definitely feel we have an advantage.”
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* From Facebook…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Bernie…
Former Gov. Dan Walker, who served in the state’s top job for a single term from 1973 to 1977, died early Wednesday at a veterans hospital in Chula Vista, Calif., according to his son, Will. He was 92.
Will Walker, of Crystal Lake, said old age caught up to his father.
“Ultimately, it was heart failure that got him,” the younger Walker, of Crystal Lake, told The State Journal-Register.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Gov. Rauner…
“Diana and I are saddened to learn of the passing of former Governor Dan Walker. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Pat Quinn…
Gov. Pat Quinn has issued the below statement on the passing of Gov. Dan Walker:
“As a member of the United States Navy, Gov. Dan Walker served our country with courage and distinction in World War II and the Korean War.
“He fervently believed in the power of democracy and the importance of including everyone in our democracy. He loved his family and leaves behind many friends. His patriotism, service and compassion will never be forgotten.
“May God rest his soul.”
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* From the governor’s office…
Good morning, Rich!
The following have passed the resolution:
Elk Grove Village
Noble
Logan County
Best,
ck
* The Illinois AFL-CIO claims that Elk Grove Village passed a “modified version of the anti-worker resolution despite a standing room only crowd protesting the move.”
From the village’s website…
Consideration to adopt Resolution No. 20-15 (attached) supporting portions of Governor Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda” for government empowerment and reform.
(By approving this Resolution, Elk Grove Village is supporting certain reforms in State government that will encourage local control, reduce costs on local governments, empower local voters, and increase competitiveness in our community.)
I couldn’t find the resolution online.
*** UPDATE *** From IUOE Local 150…
Attached is the resolution approved last night in Elk Grove Village. The mayor repeatedly stated at the meeting that this was not the Governor’s resolution and that it had been substantially altered, though the portions considered to be veiled attacks on unions still appear in this version.
The resolution’s text…
WHEREAS, municipal government is the closest unit of Illinois government to their
residents and thereby the most responsive; and
WHEREAS, municipalities are front-line providers of critical government services to
residents and these services include police and fire protection, snow removal, refuse collection,
infrastructure, water, sewer and utility services among countless others; and
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates including the imposition of excessive pension benefits,
prevailing wage requirements, workers’ compensation laws, injury apportionment and
impairment laws, and certain labor laws and other such unfunded mandates have dramatically
and materially increased the costs to local taxpayers by billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, addressing these matters will, through reducing the cost of providing local
necessary and essential government services, reduce the burden on local taxpayers, including
reducing the burden of property taxes and fees; and
WHEREAS, granting local elected officials and voters at the local level the choice to
create local empowerment zones may assist in making Illinois more attractive for future business
investment and enhanced job growth; and
WHEREAS, while local empowerment zones may not be the appropriate decision for
every community, the Village of Elk Grove is supportive of allowing voters and local officials,
who are in the best position to understand their local issues, to determine the future direction of
their community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Elk Grove Village
strongly endorses major reforms in State government achieved through aspects of Governor
Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda that will encourage local control, reduce costs on local
governments, and increase competitiveness in our and surrounding communities.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From a union official…
Rauner resolution tabled in Mahomet — at the start of the meeting. They took public comment afterward anyway, because so many people had showed up. All speakers were opposed. I am told, “One guy in a suit signed in to speak, listing a Springfield address. After it was tabled he left without speaking. We think he was from the governor’s office.”
* From the Daily Herald…
Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen insisted Tuesday — again and again — that the county board committee of the whole was not discussing a resolution supporting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s turnaround agenda.
Instead, he said, he wants the board to craft its own resolution that is positive in tone, calling for changes in how the state addresses its financial problems. He said it should be built by consensus and not be divisive.
“I don’t think that it is any secret that what Gov. Rauner has proposed is controversial, but what we are doing today is very different than that,” Lauzen said.
But many of the people in the audience, which spilled out of the room and its lobby, then down the stairs, still protested. Some said parts of the proposal were code for what Rauner has proposed, such as allowing counties and towns to establish empowerment zones with right-to-work regulations and to opt out of having to pay prevailing wage rates for public projects. Both are seen as anti-labor union measures. Leadership from several unions, including operating engineers, the Fox Valley Labor Council, an AFSCME retirees’ local chapter and two local teacher unions, spoke to the board.
* Tribune…
Union officials lodged their opposition Tuesday to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed right-to-work zones as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to send a message to state lawmakers that City Hall opposes the idea.
The testimony came at a City Council hearing on a symbolic resolution sponsored by Emanuel to oppose the zones. It’s the latest bit of political posturing between Emanuel and Rauner on the topic. […]
After the hearing, Ald. Patrick O’Connor, Emanuel’s floor leader, said the council hopes to persuade Rauner to “rethink this.”
“Shouldn’t we all just be about creating more jobs, more good-paying jobs, more jobs that allow people to step up into the middle class, as opposed to basically saying, ‘I can offer you a whole bunch of, like, half jobs, but I can’t offer you a good job?’” said O’Connor, 40th.
The Cook County Board will take up a nearly identical resolution today.
* And from the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
The Governor got an earful during his presentation in front of an Illinois Department of Transportation listening tour stop in Springfield. Governor Bruce Rauner was addressing the IDOT gathering about his “Turnaround Illinois Agenda” when Sean Stott, the Director of Government Affairs for Laborer’s International Union, got up to say a few words. Afterwards Stott said the Governor’s statements on right-to-work zones are factually inaccurate.
“The federal government has said and the courts have ruled repeatedly for decades that local governments cannot establish local right-to-work zones as he would promote.”
But Governor Rauner says the federal law is clear.
“We’re highly confident that federal labor law allows local governments to decide for themselves labor issues if the state authorizes them to do it.”
Rauner says he’s pushing for a statewide law that would allow local governments the option of becoming a right-to-work zone and he expects any measure on right-to-work issues will be litigated. The Governor also says that he’s working with legislative leaders to hash out some of the proposals and hopes to have the package of bills introduced in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile nearly 30 local governments have approved non-binding resolutions supporting the Governor’s “Turnaround Illinois Agenda”. That’s according to the the Governor’s office. The resolution, shopped out by the Illinois Municipal League and other government association groups, includes employee empowerment zones which are also referred to as right-to-work zones. The resolutions also include proposed reforms to workers’ compensation, insurance costs, business regulations and issues concerning project labor agreements and prevailing wage. Unions oppose the resolutions saying implementation of the measures would mean disintegration of the middle class. But Governor Rauner says the reforms are necessary to make the state’s business climate more friendly.
* The Institute also published this…
At Forbes, Richard Epstein, a professor at both the University of Chicago Law School and New York University School of Law, said [Attorney General Lisa Madigan] has fundamentally mischaracterized federal law.
Epstein explained that the U.S. Supreme Court generally presumes that federal law does not preempt state law unless one of three conditions exists: there is an explicit conflict between federal and state law; the state law would frustrate a federal program; or the federal government has completely occupied the field in question.
Epstein explained that “[n]one of these is remotely plausible” in the case of local Right-to-Work laws because “the federal government has explicitly recognized the state’s authority on this key point” by explicitly allowing states to enact Right-to-Work laws. So there is no conflict between federal and state law; there is no federal program that would be frustrated by local Right to Work; and the federal government has explicitly declined to occupy the entire field.
Whether a state adopts a statewide law or just allows local governments to adopt their own Right-to-Work laws is irrelevant. “In general,” Epstein wrote, “the federal government has no power to tell states how it is that they should divide up their powers of government.”
It also shouldn’t matter that Illinois has no state law specifically authorizing local governments to enact Right-to-Work laws (although Rauner wants such a law). The Illinois Constitution allows home-rule units to exercise any governmental power the state government has not explicitly reserved to itself. Therefore, because state law does not explicitly forbid home-rule units from adopting Right-to-Work laws, they may do so.
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