Vallas react
Saturday, Nov 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
[Comments now open.]
* Paul Vallas’ residency issue is looked at by the Tribune…
Jack Dorgan, the state Republican chairman, said the GOP will review whether a residency issue exists for Vallas in the normal course of checking petitions. “Obviously it’s an issue with someone who hasn’t lived in the state for a long time,” he said.
Burt Odelson, a veteran election-law attorney who represents the Quinn campaign, said Vallas has significantly more ways to prove he did not give up his Illinois residency than did Rahm Emanuel, who in his successful bid for Chicago mayor survived a residency challenge.
* Professional opinion reaction to Gov. Pat Quinn’s choice of Vallas as a running mate…
* Rich Miller Sun-Times: Vallas won’t just be second fiddle to Quinn …
And while the four Republican candidates for governor mostly settled on unknowns with little political experience but plenty of “diversity” (an Asian-American man and three women, one of whom is a Latina and one with an Hispanic surname), Quinn set aside demographic and immediate political considerations and chose someone who clearly is up to the task of taking the reins of government if something should happen to him. And shouldn’t that be a governor’s first consideration?
But Vallas’ stature and experience come with a very steep price. Vallas is a forceful, polarizing public figure. He’s supremely charming but temperamental to the point of being obnoxious and always confident he’s the smartest guy in the room.
Simon sat quietly in the back seat while Quinn drove the car, jumping out the door when it suited her purposes but silently and politely.
If the past is any guide, Vallas constantly will be leaning over the front seat trying to yank the steering wheel out of Quinn’s hands. Vallas could wind up hurting Quinn, both in the campaign and after the governing resumes.
I don’t see how Quinn is going to keep Vallas on a short leash when nobody has ever managed to do such a thing before in his life.
* Carol Marin: Vallas is a gutsy choice by Quinn…
The governor made a bold and ballsy choice by picking Paul Vallas as his lieutenant governor running mate for 2014. And nobody knows that better than Illinois Republicans.
Like, for instance, GOP candidate Bruce Rauner who, according to a highly informed source, considered recruiting Vallas to be his lieutenant governor. And sought Vallas’ endorsement. […]
[But] Vallas has never played a very good second banana.
* John Kass: Vallas is no second banana…
What surprises me is that Rauner didn’t get Vallas on his side. Vallas had soured on the Democrats after the 2002 campaign, and even considered running as a Republican for the Cook County Board. The two of them — with their knowledge of budgets and finance — would have been formidable. […]
“Yes, Paul has a big personality,” said a source close to Quinn. “We all know that. But Gov. Quinn has a big personality too. They both have their hearts out there. No question there are going to be bumps in the road along the way. But the bottom line is that they get results, and they’re a great team.”
Well, they’re a great lineup for now. Whether they’re a great team won’t be determined until later in the campaign, after they’ve held joint news conferences and shared microphones. It’s a long time until March.
* Chicago Tribune editorial board: Quinn-Vallas ticket: This just got interesting…
This was a gutsy call for Quinn, who was immediately rapped for his choice by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Count us among those who very much like Vallas’ style and substance. He’s impatient with bloated, lethargic bureaucracy. You have to wonder how different things would be had Vallas won the 2002 Democratic primary for governor instead of Rod Blagojevich. Vallas would not have gone along quietly as the General Assembly built its dynasty of debt. […]
[But] It’s difficult to envision Vallas as second-in-command of anything. The lieutenant governor is usually grateful for scraps thrown by the governor, and there are usually few of them.
* From a CTU press release…
Statement by Chicago Teachers Union President Karen GJ Lewis, NBCT on the selection of Paul Vallas as Governor Quinn’s running mate:
“The Chicago Teachers Union has supported Governor Quinn in the past because of his commitment to grassroots organizing, publicly funded public education, and collective bargaining. For these reasons we are concerned about his choice of Paul Vallas as a running mate. His choice takes us in the wrong direction for public education in Chicago and Illinois.
“While he was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, Vallas pioneered the corporate driven education model in our city. His policies continue to devastate our schools system, which recently suffered 50 school closures, deep, and painful school budget cuts, and the loss of thousands of experienced school staff are key tenets of the Vallas model.
“Vallas ushered in an era of massive expansion of standardized testing; the privatization of public schools through outsourcing and charter school expansion; and the devastating policy of school turnarounds, which resulted in the firing of scores of black and veteran teachers.
“In a 2010 interview with John Merrow on PBS, Paul Vallas appallingly stated that he did not see any downside to charter school proliferation, believed that there was not enough faculty turnover in education, and did not see a need for collective bargaining.
“Just this week in Bridgeport, CT, the school board election results were viewed as a referendum on Vallas’ tenure as an unaccredited district administrator.
“In consideration of this list of concerns, we hope that Vallas will move to support proposals for an elected representative school board in Chicago, and also denounce privatization schemes that have done nothing to increase academic achievement or address the needs of students who need the most in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Orleans.”
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* Thursday was Illinois Retail Merchants Association CEO David Vite’s last day as a Springfield lobster. His friends threw him a swell party, which included a roast by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s Greg Baise.
Baise exceeded all expectations. His Vite roast was based on the “Most interesting man in the world” TV ad campaign. My favorite line…
“He knows exactly where Mike McClain is looking.”
Anyone who has ever seen Mike McClain’s, um, off-kilter eye will understand that joke. They may not laugh, but they’ll get it.
McClain chuckled, nodded and scanned the room, so everyone wondered whether he was looking at them or somebody ten feet away.
* Anyway, this is supposed to be about Vite, not McClain. Dave spoke at the end of the evening, thanked everyone for coming, and referenced this song…
What a long, strange trip it’s been
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Some upset, some not
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* For months, the common belief was that Gov. Pat Quinn was going to pick a black running mate. That didn’t happen, of course, and now at least some African-American politicians are expressing frustration. The Sun-Times interviewed several, but here are two…
“He just blew it,” [Ald. Carrie Austin ] said.
“Kwame Raoul, Will Burns, Stephanie Neely. What happened to those individuals on your short-list that you would erase them off the list completely and go totally to another individual. We should have had some kind of forewarning that this is another individual on the short list that I have been talking with. But, to say nothing?…I’m upset with my governor now. . . .I can speak for [Ward] 34 and it ain’t lookin’ good.”
Austin said it’s entirely possible that, without a Democratic challenger, Quinn is taking the African-American vote for granted and appealing to a broader constituency by choosing Vallas. […]
“All of us are scratching our heads from a political standpoint. We were under the impression he was pursuing a Stephanie Neely, a prominent black businesswoman, maybe a Jehon Gordon, someone who’s very current with people right now in general,” said [Rep. Ken Dunkin], head of the Joint Legislative Black Caucus.
“With Paul Vallas, the only people who remember him are people like you and myself,” Dunkin said in an interview with the Sun-Times. “I think it would have boded well for [Quinn] to have cut across generational lines and ethnic lines.
Dunkin said Quinn is highly regarded by black voters and that perhaps in Vallas, the governor was looking for someone who would bolster his showing in the collar counties. But Vallas’ disadvantage is having been absent from Illinois’ political landscape for so long, he said.
* But not all black politicos are upset. Ald. Walter Burnett…
“Some elected African-American officials are going to be disappointed, but I think Paul Vallas was sensitive to our community when he was over at the Board of Education — making sure kids get eyeglasses, making sure they get a good education, building schools, making schools safer. He showed that he really cared. And he did not only here in Chicago, he did it all over the country. He predominantly worked for African American causes. . . . Overall I think it’s a plus.”
Burnett said he could understand the disappointment of many colleagues in Quinn’s failure to pick an African-American candidate.
“We were expecting it, and it was being entertained, so we thought it was going to happen,” Burnett said. “But Paul Vallas is not a bad choice. He comes out of left field, but Paul Vallas showed his commitment to the African-American community a long time ago. He worked for the schools. . . . His heart is in the right place. But I think it is smart of the governor to get somebody who has a fiscal management brain, like Paul Vallas. Paul Vallas balanced many budgets with the city of Chicago. So I think it’s a good choice.”
Burnett also suggested Vallas was picked as a way to counter Republican claims that Quinn was not up to the fiscal management of the state. “I think he just check-mated them on that, because I don’t think you can get anyone who is more of a fiscal manager than a Paul Vallas. So I think he just check-mated the Republicans.”
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SEIU immigration ad targets Rodney Davis
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CNN…
A new union-backed ad buy will look to drum up support for passing comprehensive immigration reform in the House of Representatives by targeting vulnerable chamber Republicans, according to a statement.
The Service Employees International Union said Thursday they are spending more than $500,000 on attack ads targeting seven House Republicans who face tough re-elections next year, and House Speaker John Boehner. SEIU has already spent more than $2.5 million promoting immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, the group said.
According to the statement, the 30 seconds ads will target Boehner in the Washington, D.C. market while going after Reps. Gary Miller of California, Joe Heck of Nevada, Mike Coffman of Colorado, Rodney Davis of Illinois, David Joyce of Ohio, John Kline of Minnesota and Michael Grimm of New York in their home districts. [Emphasis added.]
* Rate the SEIU ad…
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Quinn, Black Caucus derail gun penalty bill
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday morning started off on a note of unity…
[Rep. Mike Zalewski] spent much of his Wednesday working to get support from people who are in favor of gun rights, including Rep. Brandon Phelps, the man behind concealed carry legislation, and Todd Vandermyde of the NRA.
They were worried the bill could send lawful gun owners to prison for making a simple mistake, so they got rid of the parts of the bill dealing with first-time offenders.
“It just shows when you sit down and find out people’s bottom line, you can get a lot of stuff done here,” said Phelps.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was a major force behind the bill and the negotiations.
“He’s the first mayor, since I’ve been here, who’s ever reached out,” said Phelps. “And it’s nice to know you have somebody like that, in Chicago.”
* But things quickly deteriorated…
Within an hour, his legislation is up in the House. Zalewski runs through the routine things you have to do to start debate. Then, suddenly, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan hits the breaks.
“The clerk advises there are outstanding notes on the bill, so the bill shall be taken out of the record,” Madigan says.
Two seconds pass. “The chair is prepared to adjourn,” Madigan says, and he does.
The reaction among the sponsors can best be described as “You’ve got to be kidding.”
One minute, they’re about to debate the mayor’s gun bill. The next, Speaker Madigan points out some paperwork is missing, then abruptly adjourns the last scheduled session day of the year.
Herein lies the intrigue.
The “notes” the speaker referred to are requests for information that can only be provided by the administration of Gov. Pat Quinn. Things like how much the new, longer prison sentences would cost the Department of Corrections.
* The notes were filed by Rep. Ken Dunkin…
African-American lawmakers in the Illinois House used a procedural measure to delay the proposed legislation. The bill to set higher mandatory minimum sentences for illegal gun possession was stopped cold after a rarely used parliamentary move by the Black Caucus chairman.
“It was not a parliamentary trick. It was a parliamentary procedure that we have in the Illinois House rulebook,” said State Rep. Ken Dunkin, (D) Chicago.
Dunkin complained that sponsor Mike Zalewski had not answered all the questions raised during Wednesday’s committee hearing.
“I don’t understand why one member has the right to dictate to the other members that this isn’t a good public policy,” said Zalewski, (D) Riverside.
* Rep. Dunkin and other members of the Black Caucus want some more state programs…
“We want a bill that has a comprehensive approach toward dealing with getting bad guys off the street. We want that 100 percent,” Dunkin said. “The challenge with this bill still is there are collateral damages that will impact innocent people, potentially.”
The legislation’s prospects now appear fuzzy since lawmakers are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until Jan. 29 for the start of the spring session, though they could return earlier in the event of a pension breakthrough.
“We do enhancements down here every single year, and they fly out of the chamber,” Zalewski told reporters Thursday morning while acknowledging opposition from black lawmakers before the aborted vote.
“And all of a sudden, the one time we’re going to do enhancements for gun offenses, that’s the straw that’s going to break the camel’s back?” he asked.
* More…
The quick adjournment avoided a potentially fiery debate pitting African-American and Latino legislators against largely white Chicago-area and Downstate lawmakers, which would have put on display philosophical fissures among Democrats. It would have been the second time this week, following approval of gay marriage, that black lawmakers would have been asked to support a high-profile bill opposed by some of their constituents.
“Today was a day that we wanted to make sure that the sponsor and the mayor of Chicago (are) aware that we have a real problem” with this gun legislation, said Dunkin, who said crime fighting should not be done in a “piecemeal way.”
By blocking the legislation, the lawmakers aligned themselves on the issue with a re-election seeking Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn rather than Emanuel. Quinn has sought more money for programs to rehabilitate first offenders and re-entry programs for inmates.
Emanuel, who had billed the legislation as a way to help crack down on gun violence that continues to plague city streets, decried what he called “political stunts” to derail it.
* As I told you yesterday, Gov. Quinn had his liaisons working against the bill yesterday morning. Those weren’t the only Quinn fingerprints, however…
Often, the administration responds to requests for notes on legislation within an hour, although state law allows five days for a response.
The Department of Corrections is responsible for the notes covering the cost and impact on prison population. Zalewski’s legislation was changed Wednesday afternoon and Corrections spokesman Tom Shaer said each change requires careful analysis.
But Zalewski pointed out that for weeks, the agency has been able to quickly respond with inmate and cost projections based on differing versions of his bill. Corrections has opposed the measure, saying it would cost $700 million extra over a decade.
No way did Quinn want that bill on his desk. No way.
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A quick moment of Zen
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Believe it or not, we have stuff to talk about today other than the Paul Vallas pick. But I thought we might need an interlude before we proceed. And what better interlude could we possibly have than an Oscar the Puppy video?
* The quick setup is that I was sweeping leaves off the patio last weekend and Oscar wasn’t quite sure what the heck was going on, but he sure was interested. Have a look-see…
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[Bumped up and subscriber protection removed because the story is getting out.]
* 10:01 am - Gov. Quinn is calling around telling people that he has picked Paul Vallas as his running mate.
Completely unexpected.
Stay tuned.
*** UPDATE 1 *** * 10:22 am - Vallas has been running school districts around the country for the past several years, facing controversy pretty much everywhere. But he is registered to vote in Palos Heights, where he voted requested a Republican absentee ballot in the 2010 primary, but did not return it, according to his voter file the Cook County Clerk’s office. He took a Democratic ballot in the 2012 primary from the same address.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Click here to read a story from earlier this week which illustrates the controversy this guy has caused. The CTU is not gonna like this choice, to say the least.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Quinn has quite often been about the past. The choice of Sheila Simon was as much or more about her late father’s last name than about her. He surrounds himself with trusted old friends from the treasurer’s office, the Walker administration, etc. Vallas hasn’t been involved in Illinois politics for years, although he did consider running as a Republican in 2010.
*** UPDATE 4 *** I’m assuming that the governor took a good long look at case histories regarding residency requirements. I doubt he’d want to get caught up in a long, drawn-out suit over this.
…Adding… I’ve turned comments on in case you’d like to talk about this totally unexpected development.
* Vallas pretty much beat himself in the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary. He had a fear of flying (from a near death experience) that kept him from campaigning, he blew a ton of money on consultants who didn’t perform, and he didn’t raise enough cash.
But he has very strong interpersonal skills. He can blow you away one on one. We’ll see what happens next.
*** UPDATE 5 *** Greg Hinz…
The surprise development first was reported by Capital Fax in a subscribers-only alert a few minutes ago, but is being confirmed by Dean Vallas, Paul Vallas’ brother and longtime top political aide.
“It is true. He’s going to do it,” Dan Vallas told me in a cell-phone call. “It’s a great opportunity, particularly if that position is going to be remade. . . .Paul’s all about service.”
Quinn aides did not immediately return calls.
Mr. Vallas is respected as a tight fiscal manager and would bring some credibility to Mr. Quinn on that count.
As I told subscribers in a special edition, I talked to potential picks who’d been called this morning by the governor himself.
*** UPDATE 6 *** From the governor’s campaign…
Governor Pat Quinn Names Running Mate
for 2014 Campaign
Announces Paul Vallas as Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today named Paul Vallas as his running mate in the 2014 election. A longtime reformer and nationally renowned fiscal and education expert, Vallas will serve as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.
“I’ve known Paul Vallas for 30 years and he’s never been shy about fighting for education, reform and opportunities for working people,” Governor Quinn said. “We have made great progress these last few years, but serious challenges remain and our mission is not yet accomplished. Paul is an independent problem solver with a proven record of reform. He will be a strong Lt. Governor for the common good.”
“I am honored to join forces with the strongest reform governor in the country,” Paul Vallas said. “Since taking the oath of office, Governor Pat Quinn has rescued the state of Illinois from the verge of fiscal and ethical disaster following decades of bipartisan corruption. This governor has been getting big things done since he got here. Unlike his predecessors, Governor Quinn tackled the hard issues and has made the right decisions to get Illinois back on track.”
“Together we will fight every day for working families and deliver the reform and change that Illinois deserves,” said Vallas.
Nationally known for his success in improving some of America’s most troubled school systems, Paul Vallas enters the campaign following nearly two years of service in Connecticut’s largest city as Superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools. During his tenure, he eliminated a $12 million dollar budget deficit without closing a single school or laying off a single teacher. He instituted major reforms, modernized the curriculum and put laptops and Smart boards in every high school classroom.
Prior to that he served as Superintendent of the Recovery School District in New Orleans where he was instrumental in rebuilding the school district from scratch after Hurricane Katrina. Vallas raised test scores in New Orleans every year, significantly reduced the percentage of schools failing to meet state performance standards and eliminated reliance on FEMA restart dollars.
Vallas also oversaw the School District of Philadelphia for six years, overhauling the district’s curriculum, dramatically raising reading and math scores and eliminating the district’s massive budget deficit.
As the CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for six years, he consistently raised test scores, launched the largest school construction program in CPS history, balanced six consecutive budgets which led to multiple bond rating upgrades, and left the school district with a $330 million surplus after inheriting a massive budget deficit. A suburban Chicago native, Vallas also ran in the Democratic primary for governor in 2002, narrowly losing by 25,000 votes.
When Governor Quinn took office, Illinois was suffering from decades of fiscal mismanagement and corruption, in addition to the worst recession since the Great Depression. Since then, he enacted tough, new ethics laws; landmark education reform; and the largest capital construction program in state history, which is supporting more than 400,000 jobs updating our roads, schools and bridges. The governor also led historic budget reforms, including reducing discretionary spending to historic lows, enacting pension reform for new employees and restructuring the Medicaid program to save the state billions of dollars.
A champion for everyday people, Governor Quinn has always put working families first as he continues to fight to move Illinois forward.
*** UPDATE 7 *** The react begins…
*** UPDATE 8 *** I just talked with Rupert Borgsmiller, who chairs the Illinois State Board of Elections.
I asked the chairman what could happen if somehow Vallas was kicked off the ballot due to a residency challenge. Would that “infect” Quinn’s legal viability as a candidate since state law requires them to run together?
Borgsmiller checked with his top lawyer and got back to me. Since this is a new law, he said, “There’s no way to determine an outcome of a scenario (like that).”
So, it’d be up to the courts.
However, Vallas has been voting at an Illinois residence for many years, and the failed challenge to Mayor Emanuel’s residency was probably stronger than this would be, so I really doubt this’ll be an issue once the dust clears.
*** UPDATE 9 *** There is one thing that Vallas brings to the table that the other LG choices do not: Executive experience. Quinn, more than any of his likely GOP opponents, can point to his choice as someone who could step up and run the government.
Also, Vallas’ previous statewide experience will be crucial. This is a very big state, man, and Vallas has already done that gig.
*** UPDATE 10 *** Vallas may have needed another job soon anyway. From the Hartford, CT Courant..
Vallas said at the time he was appointed that he expected it would take him about a year to turn Bridgeport around, but the city — thought a fraction of the size of the other districts where Vallas has worked — has proven a substantial challenge.
The school board that appointed Vallas was eventually ousted as a result of a state Supreme Court ruling and recently a new board was elected that is heavy on Vallas critics.
Vallas’ qualifications for the position have also been called into question by critics who say a University of Connecticut academic program did not provide the credentials he needs.
About six months ago, Vallas told the Courant that he planned to stay in Bridgeport “until I feel we have reached the point where we can safely say these reforms have been institutionalized.”
*** UPDATE 11 *** From the Illinois Radio Network…
Gov. Pat Quinn has selected Paul Vallas, who ran for governor in 2002 and lost in the Democratic primary. Vallas has talked about giving politics a try again on several occasions, and four years ago, he told host Jeff Berkowitz on the Public Affairs cable TV show that he’s now a Republican.
VALLAS: “I would take a Republican primary ballot.”
BERKOWITZ: “Do you think of yourself as a Republican?”
VALLAS: “I’m more of a Republican than a Democrat.”
BERKOWITZ: “If you run again for office you’d be running as a Republican?”
VALLAS: “I would, yes, yes.”
*** UPDATE 12 *** From the Rauner campaign…
Mike Schrimpf, communications director for Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign, issued the following statement regarding Pat Quinn’s lieutenant governor selection:
“Picking Paul Vallas confirms that Pat Quinn is running scared. Quinn understands that Bruce Rauner has a proven record on school reform and is the only candidate who will shake up the status quo in Springfield. Unfortunately for Quinn, no lieutenant governor candidate can cover up his record of skyrocketing unemployment, higher taxes and failing schools.”
*** UPDATE 13 *** Dillard…
Republican candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard issued the following statement regarding Gov. Quinn’s choice of former Chicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas for Lt. Governor.
“While I’m focused on winning the GOP Primary, clearly this is an all City Hall/Chicago ticket. Paul Vallas — like Pat Quinn — is a big spender. In a Kirk Dillard and Jil Tracy ticket, the collar counties and downstate will be represented too.”
*** UPDATE 14 *** Secretary of State Jesse White…
I applaud Gov. Pat Quinn for selecting Paul Vallas as his candidate for Lt. Governor. Paul has a proven track record of not only protecting our kids and ensuring that they have the opportunities to succeed in life, but also protecting our tax dollars. Paul’s budget and education experiences make him an outstanding choice and I am confident that he will be an outstanding Lt. Governor.
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* From a fundraising e-mail…
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Paul Caprio
Thursday, November 7, 2013
(Chicago) In the aftermath of the narrow (two vote margin) passage of legalized same sex marriage by the Illinois House on Tuesday, Family-Pac announced that it will oppose two legislators who broke pledges to oppose the bill. Ron Sandack (R - Downers Grove) and Tom Cross (R. Plainfield).
Said Paul Caprio, Director, “These two members broke their pledges not only to pro-family groups but to their own constituents. They have demonstrated a fundamental lack of integrity which should be of importance to all Illinois Republicans.”
Please consider a donation to Family-Pac today by going to our website (www.family-pac.com). Your support of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1000 will help us begin winning campaigns against these traitors.
Family-Pac has already begun the campaign against Sandack last night to tell 11,900 GOP households in his district of his vote in favor of same sex marriage in an automated call.
* Meanwhile, Rep. Cross’ Republican primary opponent in the state treasurer’s race is refusing to take any shots, while his likely Democratic opponent is trying to make hay out of relatively nothing…
Grogan opposes same-sex marriage, but he didn’t take any swings at Cross. “I’m running for treasurer, and treasurer doesn’t have a lot to do with that topic,” Grogan said. “How Tom Cross votes on it is not relevant to me.”
State Sen. Mike Frerichs of Champaign, the Democrat in the race for treasurer, has tried to seize on the issue, criticizing Cross for not publicly backing same-sex marriage before the vote Tuesday.
Grogan’s silence means this will be a non-issue for Cross in the primary campaign, other than outside groups like Caprio’s. That’s a big plus for Cross.
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Rate Rauner’s new video
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Ormsby…
Republican Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign released yesterday a new web video attacking Governor Pat Quinn for the failure of the legislature to act pension reform during the just concluded Veto Session in Springfield.
“Illinois’ pension crisis has been building for two decades because the career politicians refuse to fundamentally transform the pension system,” said Rauner in a statement.
“It’s time to move towards a 401(k)-style program, similar to what most workers have in the private sector, and refuse to make any more special deals with government union bosses,” said the long-time Republican insider.
* The Internet video is called “Detroit.” From the script…
Detroit just declared bankruptcy.
And if we don’t change direction, Illinois is next.
The highest unemployment in the Midwest. The worst credit rating in America. And 100 billion in public pension debt.
The question is what to do.
Pat Quinn won’t change direction. Higher taxes, record spending, more Springfield failures.
It’s time for fundamental change in Illinois. It’s time for a leader with the guts to deliver.
Bruce Rauner for governor. Shake up Springfield. Bring back Illinois.
* Rate it…
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Caption contest!
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Rep. Mike Zalewski recently discussed the mayor’s gun possession penalty increase bill with the media…
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* From a press release…
The Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield will honor five individuals who have served as legislative interns at the state Capitol.
U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Scott Kaiser, Mona Martin, Scott Reimers, and David Sykuta will be inducted during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, November 21, 2013.
Inductees are selected based on their contributions to Illinois and its citizens. The Hall of Fame is also recognition of the important role that public service internships play in developing public sector leadership. […]
The event on November 21 will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion at Fourth and Jackson Streets, followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased online at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/. The deadline to register is November 18. Reservations are required. For more information on attending, call 217/206-6084.
Bustos is the only person on that list who I’m not personally familiar with. The rest are just incredibly solid people.
Congratuations to all.
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Political oddities and ends
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I didn’t know Bill Brady moonlighted as a comedian…
And all along I thought the longest running comedy show in the Midwest was Illinois government. He doesn’t run that yet.
* Three pensions? Yep…
“Yes, it’s unusual,” says Robert Rita, a Democratic state representative from Blue Island. “But it’s not like we’re doing this because of the pensions.” “I’m from a family that’s dedicated to public service.”
The Ritas are like Blue Island’s version of the Daleys. The brothers’ father, John Rita Sr., was Blue Island’s mayor, while their mother, Rose Rita, was an alderman and supervisor of Calumet Township. Both parents are now deceased.
Sister Nancy Rita, 49, also is a Blue Island alderman, in addition to working as an administrative assistant in the office of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans. The $62,695-a-year county job comes with a pension.
As a state lawmaker, Robert Rita, 44, was paid $74,569 last year. His township supervisor salary is $67,000 a year – after a 23 percent raise that took effect in June, according to interviews and public records.
Up until last February he also worked as an administrative analyst for the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, and is vested in Cook County’s government pension plan, as well as the retirement plans covering the General Assembly and townships. His annual county salary was $93,423, though he wasn’t paid when he took time off to handle legislative matters.
If Robert Rita waits until age 60 to collect his lawmaker, township and county pensions, his total benefit could exceed $118,000 a year, according to a Better Government Association analysis.
* A case of premature tweeting earlier this week…
That “earthquake” turned out to be a quarry blast. But it was a big one…
U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski has asked for a federal investigation into a quarry blast this week in suburban Chicago.
Lipinski has asked the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to investigate the blast. It happened Monday at a company in McCook.
The congressman says he was in his Western Springs kitchen when his house shook for five seconds.
* Sen. Mark Kirk doesn’t want to loosen restrictions on marijuana…
He said he was worried about young people’s academic achievement.
“In my own life, there were kids that in the ’70s we would call the ‘burnouts’ who were heavily smoking,” Kirk said. “Those kids, as they got to their 50s, were generally much lower performing in their careers and their lives.”
Or they became president.
Just saying.
* From an e-mail blast…
Rich -
I wanted to make sure you saw this week’s story. In response to Sheila’s campaign proposals to strengthen oversight of local government, Judy Baar Topinka decided to revamp her local government website. Some Illinois reporters don’t think that’s a coincidence.
Here’s what columnist Kurt Erickson had to say about it:
“…it wasn’t without irony that Topinka last week launched a seven-stop statewide blitz on the taxpayer’s dime to announce a new feature of her office that compiles information and records from, surprise, local governments.” (Bloomington Pantagraph, 11/3/13)
It shouldn’t take the attention of an election for public officials to do their job properly. Sheila has already helped change the way the comptroller’s office does business; imagine what she will be able to do if she is elected.
Thanks,
Dave Mellet
Campaign Manager
Sheila Simon for Comptroller
* Topinka’s response in that same story quoted above…
Topinka told skeptical reporters that the new website was not created in response to Simon’s allegations.
“I think it’s nonsense, because we started working on this when Sheila Simon was still dreaming of becoming attorney general,” Topinka quipped.
* And LG Simon offered no praise at the time for Topinka “doing her job properly.” Quite the opposite…
Simon criticized the site as a simple “repurposing” of information that was already available, saying the move was “too little and too late.”
* Simon, by the way, played a recent duet with Dan Ponce…
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Question of the day
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A pension reform vehicle bill was moved out of a House committee yesterday. Speaker Madigan says he’s preparing for a floor vote when the leaders get some new numbers…
House Speaker Michael Madigan says he’s prepared to pass a “meaningful” pension reform bill, and he hopes it will happen before the end of the year.
The Chicago Democrat says legislative leaders are waiting for actuaries to crunch numbers on some proposals they’re considering. Once they have the information he hopes lawmakers can return to Springfield and approve a bill.
* The Question: How likely is it that the General Assembly will approve a pension reform bill before the end of 2013? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
survey tools
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The Rauner connection
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Bernie…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner has donated more than $500,000 to the Illinois Policy Institute over the last five years.
The institute, which bills itself as a free-market, liberty-based organization, promotes a range of policies and has writers in an offshoot called the Illinois News Network, which provides stories free of charge to newspapers. That is troubling. […]
I first learned of the Illinois News Network when I covered some events this summer with a new reporter from that organization — Jackson Adams. One event was at the State Fair, when reporters surrounded Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. Adams asked the governor why a 401(k)-style plan wasn’t part of a pension-reform plan. That’s a fair question, but it also is true that the policy institute likes the 401(k) model for public employees. So does Rauner. […]
Charlie Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting master’s degree program at the University of Illinois Springfield, said he looks at a news-producing offshoot of the policy institute as being part of its agenda. He had seen Reeder’s columns, but not other products of the network.
“Any newspaper that uses it and pretends that it’s real news similar to what they might get from The Associated Press or Reuters or Bloomberg is not fully informing the readers,” Wheeler said.
People give money to groups they support. Since the Illinois Policy Institute supports many of the same things as Rauner, it’s pretty tough to say he’s buying their influence. He’s their natural candidate. They don’t stress social conservatism over there, and neither does Rauner. But Rauner is a very hardcore fiscal conservative who is right in step with their viewpoints.
A conspiracy theorist could speculate that this was a Rauner creation in some ways. I’ve seen no evidence of that, but half a mil sure is a lot of cash.
* Coincidentally, Scott Reeder’s latest column is about right to work, an issue that Rauner supports…
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Rauner supports the concept of allowing individual Illinois counties and municipalities to vote on whether they want to keep the status quo or adopt a local Right-to-Work ordinance.
But the other three Republicans running for governor wouldn’t commit to a position.
State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, and state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard all said the political reality in Illinois is such that it would be impossible to pass a Right-to-Work law in Illinois.
Such comments show a certain lack of confidence in their political party’s ability to eventually claim a majority in the General Assembly. And it shows a lack of assurance in their own abilities to lead a disparate Legislature.
But there’s value still in asking questions like these, because they help shed light on a politician’s values and opinions. More importantly, they act as guide stones for where a politician may lead in the future.
Where candidates stand on an issue such as Right to Work is important to know – after all, it has the potential to be one of the most important economic issues facing the state.
Answers like the one given by Brady are not helpful. The state Senator from Bloomington says the reality is that the Democrats control the General Assembly and therefore Right-to-Work laws are irrelevant. He told me I was “wasting his breath” to pursue the questioning.
Brady supported right to work in 2010 and it cost him lots of union support. Calling him out on the issue now plays right into Rauner’s hands, although, again, there’s no proof of any quid pro quo here.
* From last week’s Reeder column…
A few weeks ago, I asked all of the gubernatorial candidates where they stood on a constitutional amendment being promoted by Republican candidate Bruce Rauner. The measure would limit the terms of state legislators, reduce the number of senators and slightly increase the number of House members.
* Meanwhile, from Illinois Review…
If Mr. Rauner points to his donations to Illinois Policy Institute and Heartland Institute as proof of his fiscal conservative views, he may also point to 58 checks amounting to $89,500 written to Republican organizations since January 2013 as proof of his “Republican-ism.”
As the story shows, he’s writing checks to lots of county party organizations, among others.
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* A pension reform bill passed the House 87-26 yesterday that applied only to the Chicago Park District. Greg Hinz has deets…
Specifically, according to a fact sheet provided by Mr. Madigan’s office, the amendment would require the district to almost triple the ratio of what it pays relative to what workers pay over the next several years, moving from a 1.1 ratio now to 2.9 in 2019. The heavy employer contribution would remain until the funded ratio moved from the 58 percent figure to at least 90 percent.
In terms of money, CPD would make “supplemental contributions” of $12.5 million in 2015 and $50 million in 2019.
In exchange, workers who now contribute 9 percent of pay toward their retirement would gradually move up to 12 percent by 2019. The figure would remain there until the 90 percent-funded target was hit, eventually dropping to 10.5 percent.
Also, for district employees hired prior to 2011, the minimum retirement age would move from 50 to 58. But for newer workers, who are covered under a different standard, the age for normal retirement would drop from 67 to 65.
In one other big change, annual cost-of-living hikes would move from 3 percent simple (uncompounded) to the lesser of one-half inflation or 3 percent. That change would take effect immediately and apply to current retirees.
* More…
“This is an honest solution to address a problem that has been decades in the making,” Emanuel said in a prepared statement. “It reflects a balanced approach of reform and revenue, giving employees, retirees and taxpayers the security and certainty they deserve but that has long been missing.”
On the House floor, Madigan acknowledged the plan has “mixed” support from labor unions.
“Some are for. Some are against,” he said. “Generally, you’ll find the trade unions support the bill. The non-trade unions, maybe not.”
I’m not sure any unions are really “for” this plan.
* Either way, if it passes the Senate and is signed into law, Illinois will finally start the process of judicial review over whether a phrase specifically written into the Constitution to prevent any pension benefit changes like these can be overcome by fiscal necessity.
*** UPDATE *** The bill has passed the Senate and will now go to the governor’s desk.
…Adding… From a Tribune editorial board member…
So, now they’re attacking a new ally?
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Unclear on the concept
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
In most other large cities, officials seek voters’ permission on building projects before issuing general obligation bonds, which are backed by property taxes. But that’s not how it works in Chicago. Illinois law allows Chicago’s leaders to borrow with abandon.
That wasn’t an editorial, by the way. It was a “straight” news piece.
* From the Illinois Constitution…
SECTION 6. POWERS OF HOME RULE UNITS
(a) A County which has a chief executive officer elected by the electors of the county and any municipality which has a population of more than 25,000 are home rule units. Other municipalities may elect by referendum to become home rule units. Except as limited by this Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt.
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Jakobsson’s son passes away
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Naomi Jakobsson left her son’s bedside to cast a vote for gay marriage this week. Her son lay dying from a terminal condition…
“She had left this environment that she’d been in, kind of a waiting vigil at her son’s bedside, to come here,” [said state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago]. “When she looked at me [Tuesday], she said, ‘He could die while I’m here,’ and that’s exactly what happened.
“He passed away, from what I heard, 10 minutes prior to her arriving back at his nursing home,” she said.
Garret Dick Jackobsson’s death was announced early Tuesday on the House floor by House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, stunning the chamber.
“Naomi and I talked about this. She had been sitting vigil for a week and had talked about that,” said Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, who is Jakobsson’s seatmate. “She said, ‘Garret would want me to be doing my job,’ and I think that gave her a sense of peace.”
The representative spoke to a few colleagues privately on Wednesday about her family’s tragedy and issued a short statement through her office about her compelling act of sacrifice.
“Equal protection under the law is important to everyone in my family, including Garret,” said Jakobsson. “This was a vote that was important to my whole family, one that I felt I could not miss, and I know my son was proud of my decision.”
* Other news…
* Couples plan weddings, clerks take up logistics as Illinois readies for same-sex marriage: The bulk the state’s civil unions — roughly 4,000 of the 5,000 in the state — were issued in Cook County. After being undecided on whether their facilities would be open on a Sunday, officials with Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office announced Wednesday that they’d open June 1. “There will be people competing to get the first license,” Orr said. In central Illinois, Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten said his office will be open; The county has issued 197 civil unions.
* Gov. Quinn: Illinois on ‘right side of history’
* Quinn foresees gay-marriage bill-signing ceremony stocked with ‘as many people as possible’
* Aide: Cullerton ‘so focused’ on passing same-sex marriage legislation he neglected to vote for it
* Hinz: What the gay marriage vote says about Illinois
* Pro-Traditional Marriage Group ‘Condemns’ Illinois for Legalizing Gay Marriage: Brian Brown, president of NOM, said in a statement that news from the Illinois House was “disappointing but not surprising.” “The losers will be the people of Illinois who will see that redefining marriage will unleash a torrent of harassment toward those who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” said Brown.
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An aging party
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
But to win a general election, a candidate first has to win a primary, and Illinois primary voters tend to be older and more conservative, while surveys have shown supporters of same-sex marriage tend to be younger, more liberal and less religious in their beliefs.
“The support for marriage equality among (people age) 35 and under, even 50 and under, is at tremendously high levels and these are the people that are going to keep voting from election to election,” said Bernard Cherkasov, the chief executive officer of Equality Illinois, a major advocacy group in support of same-sex marriage.
Last year, when Illinois Republicans helped select former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the GOP’s presidential nominee, fully 63 percent of the state’s Republican primary voters were age 50 and older with a like percentage describing themselves as conservatives. More than half, 56 percent, said they considered it at least somewhat important that a candidate shared their religious beliefs.
Discuss.
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Cellini released from prison
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Power broker William Cellini, convicted for his role in a fundraising scheme linked to imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has been released from federal prison.
A spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed Wednesday that Cellini was discharged from the federal prison in Terre Haute last Thursday.
He was released to a halfway house and is on home confinement until Dec. 5, said Ed Ross, an agency spokesman.
* SJ-R…
Cellini began his one-year-and-one-day sentence Jan. 22. Burke said he qualified for 47 days of good-conduct credit.
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* I told subscribers about this possibility earlier in the week…
Gay and lesbian couples celebrated yesterday after the Illinois legislature approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. However, the new law would require couples looking to wed to wait until the summer of 2014. An immediate effective date would have required 10 more votes than the measure received in the House.
But an amendment that Oak Park Democratic Sen. Don Harmon filed today to House Bill 2747 might speed up that timeline. The measure could not be taken up until after January 1, when the vote threshold for an immediate effective date drops back to the standard majority. The proposed amendment would allow the same-sex marriage law to go into effect anytime after HB 2747 was passed and signed into law.
“Whether that’s Valentine’s Day of next year or some other date, we could make sure folks have access to equality earlier than they would.” Harmon said he does not yet know if there is interest among his colleagues to take another vote on same-sex marriage, especially at a date even closer to the spring primary elections. “I don’t know if there’s an appetite to do so, but it seems silly at this point to be delaying people’s marriage plans based on our legislative calendar.”
The House just released its schedule and the chamber isn’t returning next year until January 29th for the governor’s State of the State address. The next regular session day will be February 4th.
Your thoughts?
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Fake money drop interrupts House proceedings
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
The Illinois House was disrupted Wednesday by a group of protestors who dropped fake paper money atop lawmakers’ heads to protest “loopholes” in the state’s anti-corruption laws.
The disturbance happened before the House approved a $5 million tax-break for Washington-based Univar to move its headquarters to Downers Grove, preserving 100 jobs and adding another 69.
Five members of a group called “Represent Us” staged the protest, which included unfurling of a banner that read “With Liberty and Justice for Sale.”
“Explosive scandals like the Blagojevich saga might grab headlines, but the real scandal is the loopholes that make quid pro quo corruption a fact of life in Illinois politics,” activist Josh Silver said in a prepared statement. “Money talks in Illinois, so we decided to speak to House members in the only language they seem to understand.”
They didn’t say what those loopholes actually are.
* More…
Security forces removed about half a dozen people within seconds. It took a little while longer to clean up the mess.
* This is a national group. They’ve done similar protests in other states. From its website…
Represent.Us is a fresh campaign to support the American Anti-Corruption Act: a law that would overhaul campaign finance, impose strict lobbying and conflict of interest laws, and end secret political money. We are mobilizing millions of Americans — conservatives and progressives, young and old, every issue group fighting K Street, online and offline — to join this campaign.
Five protesters in Springfield doesn’t give me much confidence that this group is “mobilizing millions.”
* Video of the protest…
Notice that nobody started grabbing at the fake money.
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*** UPDATED x2 *** Getting it done
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to toughen state law for illegal use of a weapon is being watered down as the lead sponsor tries to win approval of legislation aimed at helping crack down on Chicago’s violence.
Out of the bill is a provision that first-time gun offenders serve a mandatory three-year prison sentence, a major concern of opponents who worried that a careless mistake could put an otherwise law-abiding citizen behind bars.
This isn’t a loss for Emanuel, despite the implications of that lede. It’s how things normally get done in any legislative body. The object is to pass a bill. The way one passes a bill is to compromise. Mayor Daley refused to compromise on his gun bills and as a result he rarely passed any.
Emanuel wanted a bill to pass. It could now pass, although opposition remains intense…
Zalewski, a Democrat from Riverside, still heard loud criticism from a number of African-American lawmakers who argued for rehabilitation programs over incarceration.
White liberals also remain opposed, as does Toni Preckwinkle.
* Hizzoner’s take…
“Dramatic increase in penalties,” Emanuel said. “So, compared to what’s on the books that was referred to by gang members as a joke, that is real stiff penalties with a clear message that you’re gonna serve time for doing the crime.”
He’s right, and he may actually pass a gun bill today (or when they return).
…Adding… I’m hearing that the governor’s liaisons are working against the bill today. No surprise there. Quinn doesn’t want that thing on his desk, for obvious political reasons.
…Adding more… The House has adjourned. So no gun vote yet, but expect one when they return.
.…Adding still more… From an advisory…
The House Black Caucus will hold a press conference in the television conference room Thursday, November 07, 2013 at ll:00 a.m. The topic of the press conference will be mandatory minimum sentencing.
This is what the press conference was about…
Black members in the Illinois House have used a procedural measure to stop an anti-crime bill aimed at guns on city streets.
*** UPDATE *** The House adjourned from its fall session shortly afterward. […]
[Rep. Ken Dunkin] requested he be provided information on the bill’s effect, including its cost and impact on the prison system. The Department of Corrections did not file that information.
Zalewski could have asked the House to rule the information inapplicable — but it likely wouldn’t have worked.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the mayor’s office…
“I am disappointed that the opponents of this legislation have chosen political stunts over peoples’ safety to delay passage of a bill that will strengthen penalties and provide a deterrent for serious gun crimes. Criminals are the only winners when procedural games are used to defer a bill that clearly has the necessary votes in both chambers of the General Assembly. When this legislation passes, it will be another important step in our comprehensive strategy to reduce violence, which includes strong and involved parenting, prevention programs for at-risk youth, policing strategies that focus resources in high-crime areas and appropriate punishments. Illegal guns drive violence and we must continue working to strengthen penalties for the dangerous criminals who are carrying illegal, loaded weapons in our communities while at the same time reducing sentences on non-violent crime.
I thank Representative Michael Zalewski and Senator Tony Munoz for their leadership on this bill, and look forward to congratulating them once it clears these legislative obstacles for a vote and eventually becomes law.”
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* Crain’s…
A woman who until recently was the No. 2 official in an Illinois government unit that regulates the securities industry lied about her academic background, used multiple names on government records and listed a home address that turned out to be a UPS storefront, according to an internal state investigation.
The woman also billed the state for work as a home-health aide for hundreds of days when she was supposed to be working as the $75,000-a-year deputy director of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s Department of Securities, the investigation finds.
The probe was conducted by Jim Burns, the inspector general for the secretary of state’s office. Released after a formal request by Crain’s, the report indicates that the ex-official, Marlene Liss, also known as Marlene Liss-Menendez and Mar Liss-Garcia, also is the subject of a parallel investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of Illinois in Springfield that is part of a wider probe into Medicaid fraud […]
But Mr. Druker also said, in answer to a direct question, that Mr. White has known Ms. Liss for 15 years, originally meeting her when she ran a Springfield printing shop. Mr. Druker said Ms. Liss, now 36, obtained employment with the secretary of state’s office on her own, without Mr. White’s help. The two, though, do have a non-romantic “personal friendship,” Mr. Druker said. “It’s a social relationship.” […]
Despite her job title as chief deputy director, Ms. Liss provided only “administrative services,” such as keeping track of vacation and time off, Mr. Druker said. She “did not” work on securities regulation.
Oy.
A Republican state Senator asked me yesterday why anyone would ever want to be secretary of state. There’s no policy involved, he said. Well, yeah, I replied, but the SoS has plenty of nice goodies to hand out. Jobs, contracts, grants, etc. So if you like “helping people,” you’d love being secretary of state.
Maybe a little less “help” and a little more background checking is in order over there.
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Caption contest!
Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown turned 65 yesterday. Brown has worked for Madigan since 1983, after working for Mayor Jane Byrne and after writing for the Daily Herald. Despite his Medicare eligible status, Brownie shows no signs of slowing down.
Some of us threw a little dinner party for him last night…
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
That’s why a coalition of thousands of Central and Southern Illinois workers, families, local union organizations, mayors and 28 members of the Illinois General Assembly support Dynegy’s efforts to acquire the Ameren Energy Resources (AER) energy centers located in Joppa, Newton, Bartonville, Canton and Coffeen. Together these centers:
* Create an annual statewide economic benefit of $1.4+ billion
* Provide $338+ million in annual household earnings
* Support a total of 6,294 Illinois jobs
* Deliver $13.3 million annually to cash-strapped schools and local governments
“Dynegy has stepped up to help support much-needed union jobs and economic activity in Illinois,” said Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “We support Dynegy’s efforts to ensure reduced emissions while protecting the economic livelihoods of Illinois families and local communities, especially in hard-hit Central and Southern Illinois.”
AER and Dynegy are strongly committed to reducing air emissions from their Illinois energy centers which operate in accordance with EPA regulations:
* Dynegy has spent approximately $1 billion on environmental controls in Illinois
* AER has contributed more than $1 billion in pollution control equipment
* Dynegy reduced SO2 emissions levels at its facilities by more than 90% since 1998
Learn more: www.DynegyInIllinois.com.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As financial cooperatives, credit unions function as economic democracies. Every customer is both a member and an owner. Each member has the opportunity to vote in electing board members and members also run for election to the board. A credit union’s board of directors consists of unpaid volunteers, elected by and from the membership – everyday people like you. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees. Board members serve voluntarily. Speaking of volunteering, the credit union “People Helping People” philosophy motivates credit unions to get involved in countless community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. A credit union’s goal is to serve all members well, including those of modest means - every member counts. Credit unions exist solely for this reason, not to make a profit. Members know their credit union will be there for them in challenging times, as well as good – which is the reason why members are so fiercely loyal.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
That’s why a coalition of thousands of Central and Southern Illinois workers, families, local union organizations, mayors and 28 members of the Illinois General Assembly support Dynegy’s efforts to acquire the Ameren Energy Resources (AER) energy centers located in Joppa, Newton, Bartonville, Canton and Coffeen. Together these centers:
* Create an annual statewide economic benefit of $1.4+ billion
* Provide $338+ million in annual household earnings
* Support a total of 6,294 Illinois jobs
* Deliver $13.3 million annually to cash-strapped schools and local governments
“Dynegy has stepped up to help support much-needed union jobs and economic activity in Illinois,” said Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “We support Dynegy’s efforts to ensure reduced emissions while protecting the economic livelihoods of Illinois families and local communities, especially in hard-hit Central and Southern Illinois.”
AER and Dynegy are strongly committed to reducing air emissions from their Illinois energy centers which operate in accordance with EPA regulations:
* Dynegy has spent approximately $1 billion on environmental controls in Illinois
* AER has contributed more than $1 billion in pollution control equipment
* Dynegy reduced SO2 emissions levels at its facilities by more than 90% since 1998
Learn more: www.DynegyInIllinois.com.
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Rate the new Tom Cross ad
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Illinois state Treasurer candidate Tom Cross is launching a three-market radio buy today — a day after the Republican made a switch and voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation in the House.
Cross was one of three Republicans in the House to vote for in favor of the same-sex marriage. The others were Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) and Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein).
Cross switched positions after his campaign told the Sun-Times just three weeks ago that he remained opposed to same-sex marriage. The Sun-Times reported then that his Democratic opponent — state Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) — was calling on Cross to support same-sex marriage.“I am proud to be one of only two Downstate Senators to co-sponsor and vote for both marriage equality and civil unions,” Frerichs said then.
Cross’ vote neutralizes what could have been a contentious issue in a general election.
The 60-second ad is targeting three central Illinois markets.
* Listen…
* Script…
Illinois’ elected officials have repeatedly failed to solve the state’s big problems
Now we’re facing Skyrocketing debt, record high taxes and the nation’s worst budget deficit.
That’s why Tom Cross is running for Treasurer.
On day one, Tom Cross will put an end to dishonest budget gimmicks…
…demanding the courts enforce the state’s balanced budget requirement…
…and forcing Springfield politicians to fix the problems they’ve too often ignored.
Tom Cross understands without change, Illinois faces near bankruptcy…
…threatening not just our pocketbooks…
…but our schools and public safety.
A former prosecutor…
…Tom Cross will crack down on the corruption that is costing our pension system…
…and he’ll create a new government integrity unit to restore public confidence.
For too long, Illinois families have been paying the price for failed leadership.
As our Treasurer, Tom Cross will clean up their mess…
…fight the waste and corruption…
…and restore fiscal sanity back in Springfield.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Issues magazine has a long feature on social media and Illinois politics. I highly recommend that you go read the whole thing. Here’s a snippet…
The only caucus that does not have its own social media presence is the House Democrats. “A lot of that is because the individual members do those things, and that seems to work well,” says Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan. […]
John Patterson, communications director for the Illinois Senate Democrats, says he views the caucus’ social media presence on sites such as Facebook and Twitter as a way for people to keep up on what their senators are doing and be aware of things such as local events that may not always make headlines. “People are always kind of wondering what do state employees do, and I would like people to know that throughout the day, we’re doing all kinds of stuff, and we should have that reflected in what’s going out on Twitter, going up on Facebook or going on our websites,” he says. Patterson says that Senate Democratic communications staff started off on those platforms because it seemed kind of obligatory, but he says that in the last few years, they have really been working to step up their social media game. “In the last two years, we’ve had a big focus on trying to figure out how to use them as communication tools so that we just don’t have a Twitter account or a Facebook account, [but] that we’re actually using them as part of a communications plan and try to use them to grow an audience.” He says that providing information as basic as updates on committee scheduling, which are generally slow or do not happen on the legislature’s state-run website, helped to grow the caucus’ following online. “We quickly noticed a lot of people, particularly lobbyists and reporters, following our Twitter account so that they would know what’s going on in committee rooms, so they knew where they had to be at what time.”
* The Question: Should the House Democrats establish a social media presence? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys
…Adding… Illinois Issues’ blog features an interview with the guy who runs the “Da Speaker” parody Twitter account…
Q: How do you come up with your tweets/ set the tone of the account?
A: I try to keep it in the realm of exaggerated reality. What’s the speaker thinking that he’d never say aloud? It’s satire. Just for fun. A little edgy at times. I avoid cheap shots, I hope. I react to the news of the day. The ideas are the sort of smartass remarks reporters make to each other when passing time between stories.
Q: Are you surprised by the reaction/amount of followers? especially since you don’t tweet very often. Do you plan to continue indefinitely?
A: I’m amazed it has gained a following among people who understand politics. It’s a great audience.
Q: Do you plan to continue indefinitely?
A: I’ll continue until I’m no longer amused and/or until someone gets close to identifying me.
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Zalewski advances gun crimes bill
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s possible we could see a vote soon on this bill…
Rep. Michael Zalewski, a Chicago Democrat, said today that changes to his proposal to increase penalties for gun crimes have made the plan “narrowly tailored” and would bring down the cost of his proposal.
SB 1342 would require first-time offenders who commit an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon to serve 85 percent of a one-year sentence. Knowingly carrying a loaded gun in public without a Firearm Owners Identification Card can result in an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon charge. A felon or gang member would receive a four-year sentence. The proposal would also bar gun offenders from participating in some programs that can substantially shorten their sentences, such as a boot camp program for offenders.
Zalewski’s original proposal called for three years for a first-time offender and five years for felons and gang members. A House committee approved the bill, but Zalewski said he is still working to find the votes to pass it in the House. He faces opposition from the National Rifle Association over the required penalties for first-time offenders. “The sponsor has worked very hard to try to craft a bill, and we just haven’t been able to come to a meeting of the minds on this one issue,” said Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the NRA. He said lawmakers need to consider recent court rulings that upheld gun owners’ rights to carry firearms in public. “Carrying a gun is no longer, per se, a criminal offense.” […]
But the plan has support from Republicans who formerly served as prosecutors. Elmhurst Republican Rep. Dennis Reboletti helped Zalewski revise the proposal. “I think it’s a pretty thoughtful approach,” he said. Reboletti said is open to more negotiation. However, he said he thinks changes to sentences are needed to deter gun crimes and keep gang members from having a revolving door experience at IDoC only to return to the streets armed. “I don’t know what other alternatives there are.” House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, who also worked as a prosecutor before coming to the legislature, has said he supports enhancing sentences for gun crimes.
* More…
(T)he Department of Corrections would see its bulging population grow by 3,000 over the next decade, costing $713 million more for an agency that is operating with less money for more inmates already, agency chief of staff Bryan Gleckler said.
“We are out of public safety dollars,” argued John Maki, executive director of the prison monitoring group, the John Howard Association. “Where will this money come from? What will we not fund?”
Discuss.
And, as always, keep a close eye on our constantly updated live coverage post for updates on this and other legislation.
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* While most everyone else was watching the gay marriage vote play out, Jamey Dunn at Illinois Issues kept her eye on other Statehouse developments, including the supplemental approp…
The Illinois House voted to approve additional spending for the current fiscal year, but the legislation did not include funding for back pay owed to state workers.
House Bill 209 contains $49.6 million in spending, the bulk of which, $30 million, would be used to implement the state’s new concealed carry law. Most of the money in the bill comes from special funds. Only about $500,000 of general revenue funds would be spent under the measure […]
[Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan], said Madigan does not intend for there to be a vote on back pay [if and when legislators come back to deal with the pension issue]. “I’m not aware of any of that having anything to do with additional spending,” he said. “I am sure there are people out there who think that. I think the governor thinks that, but I’m not sure that there’s much of the legislature that’s subscribers to that idea.”
Brown said he does not think many in the House are interested in approving more GRF spending. “I think the speakers’ view on this other issues is that the agencies were granted lump sums. It’s really up to them to manage that. I don’t think that position has changed. There appears to be some additional revenue. I think the general view of the House has been over the last several years is if there’s revenue that comes in that we don’t know about in May, that ought to go to paying old bills. That ought to be our top priority.”
* Meanwhile, this was an expected development…
The Illinois General Assembly’s budget forecasting arm on Tuesday revised its revenue forecast upward by $369 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s revised analysis includes $200 million more projected to come from sales taxes, an extra $97 million that was transferred to the General Revenue Fund because it wasn’t needed to pay income tax refunds, and $72 million from court settlement proceeds.
The commission’s estimate raises the general fund estimate for the fiscal year to $35.8 billion from $35.45 billion, an increase of about 1 percent.
Jim Muschinske, the commission’s revenue manager, said after a meeting of the panel made up of House and Senate members that pent-up demand for cars was helping increase sales tax receipts.
* Oy…
Illinois has some of the most stringent requirements in the U.S. for background checks for child care workers, but also had the highest noncompliance rate for those inspections and failed to provide background checks on more than 13 percent of people working with children.
That’s according to the watchdog arm of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which found that Illinois missed 82 percent of its required inspections of child care facilities and failed to record whether the inspections it did conduct were unannounced.
In states that did check on child care providers’ compliance with background checks, they found that 22 percent had not initiated or renewed their background screenings as required by state laws. In Illinois, 13.1 percent of those screenings were deficient.
* And speaking of the budget…
Illinois prison officials estimate nearly 30,000 newly freed inmates will be eligible for Medicaid coverage in 2014 under President Barack Obama’s health care law.
The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports state officials say better access to care for physical and mental health issues may help parolees succeed outside of prison.
The Department of Corrections plans eventually to help inmates connect with Medicaid before they’re released, so they can make a smooth transition into the state and federal health care program for the poor.
* And Reboot Illinois sums up the Tribune’s series on Chicago’s debt problem…
Over the past many years, the city has taken out $4.8 billion in long-term loans to pay for short-term things like Palm Pilot software already practically extinct. And garbage bins, library books and doggie poop bags.
City officials used long-term loans to pay off millions in one-time legal settlements and expenses.
Chicago has added more debt to refinance old loans that will end up costing taxpayers more for years to come in extra interest payments. The move wasn’t done to get a lower interest rate and save taxpayers’ money.
Less than one third of a total of $9.8 billion in borrowing was spent on long-term capital projects that might benefit future taxpayers.
Read those Trib stories by clicking here.
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Stuck in the middle
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The merger between Illinois-based OfficeMax and Florida-based Office Depot is wrapping up…
As anticipated, the merger between OfficeMax and Office Depot was finally completed yesterday, the same day both companies announced their last financial results as independent entities.
The new company will use the name Office Depot Inc and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP. A new CEO has as yet been named. In the interim, Office Depot Chairman/CEO Neil Austrian and OfficeMax President/Ravi Saligram will serve together as co-CEOs. Until a permanent CEO is appointed and a new HQ location chosen, the company will also continue to operate in both Florida and Illinois.
* OfficeMax’s CEO said in September that he was taking himself out of the running for CEO of the merged company. Why is that important? Because he may not be able to effectively fight to locate the merged HQ in Illinois. Crain’s has more…
The new headquarters location is similarly uncertain.
But based on size, OfficeMax loses. Office Depot has 1,104 stores in the U.S. compared with OfficeMax’s 828. Office Depot reported 2012 sales of $10.7 billion and employs about 38,000. Office Max had $6.9 billion in 2012 sales and employs about 29,000 people. Office Depot occupies a 625,000-square-foot campus in Boca Raton, Fla., that was constructed in 2007, while OfficeMax’s headquarters, built in 2006, are 361,000 square feet.
“Office Depot is the bigger company, which might signal something, but it’s really very much up in the air,” Mr. Feng said. “At the end of the day, both companies are going to take a look at which location is less disruptive, which location requires fewer people to move and which location might offer better incentives.” […]
Last month, Mr. Saligram asked Illinois lawmakers to allow OfficeMax to keep employees’ state tax withholdings for 10 to 15 years if the merged company retained a headquarters in Naperville. He didn’t disclose the actual amount sought. Mr. Saligram said the company would retain 2,050 jobs, create 200 more and spend $150 million in Illinois on building leases.
In June, state Sen. Thomas Cullerton, D-Villa Park, introduced a bill worth roughly $30 million in tax credits over a decade if OfficeMax kept a non-retail workforce of 2,000 and makes a $150 million capital investment in the state.
So, essentially we’re stuck in the middle of an intra-corporate battle that will also pit Illinois against Florida.
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Madigan’s role
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* New York Times…
The outcome itself was perhaps less surprising than how long and difficult the debate had proved in a state with both legislative chambers controlled by Democrats and where President Obama, once a member of the State Senate, specifically voiced his support this year. Illinois already permits civil unions for same-sex couples, but even as a wave of state legislatures passed marriage provisions this year, the issue had stalled.
“We were aiming for this to happen a year ago,” said Bernard Cherkasov, the chief executive of Equality Illinois. In May, in the final hours of the State House’s regular session, a leading advocate of the bill reluctantly and tearfully announced that he would delay plans for a vote, suggesting that there were not yet enough votes to pass it.
“In many ways, it has taken longer than we expected,” Mr. Cherkasov said.
Despite Democratic control of both chambers, the issue had been particularly vexing for some Democrats in socially conservative districts outside Chicago and for some black Democrats in Chicago, where some clergy members have suggested that those supporting gay marriage should prepare for election challenges next year.
“We’re prepared to run and elect people who vote where the people’s minds are,” said Bishop Larry Trotter, senior pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church in Chicago and an opponent of same-sex marriage. Mr. Trotter said he believed that most black residents agreed with him, even if it conflicts with the stance of Mr. Obama.
* House Speaker Michael Madigan was given credit by the bill’s sponsor for getting around those religious and political concerns expressed by his members…
Harris said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, “made the difference in convincing some of my folks who were taking a little bit more time in making up their minds it was the right thing to do.” He said Madigan “pushed the bill across the finish line.”
Madigan said he used the “art of persuasion” on between five and 10 House members in an effort to round up the votes to pass the bill. He said he couldn’t use his art of persuasion when the bill was pending in May because the gap was wider then.
* More…
Later, Madigan acknowledged that he helped persuade “a significant number of people” to vote for the legislation. But always one to leave some mystery hanging, Madigan would not state how many or which lawmakers he brought across the finish line.
“It was over five,” Madigan said, adding that it was not over 10.
* David Ormsby, however, reports today that the total could be as high as 13 or 14…
The 13 were divided between 8 fence sitters and five potentially vulnerable lawmakers who wanted willing to vote for the bill, but on whom a brick had been placed by the Speaker’s political director.
“Madigan had to eyeball about eight members and had give Will the green light for the others who wanted to vote for it,” said the source, referring to Will Cousineau, the House Democratic Staff Issues Director.
“Cousineau may just need to work a little harder defending some,” the source added.
The eight “eyeballed” by Madigan included:
Luis Arroyo of Chicago
John D’Amico of Chicago
Anthony DeLuca of Chicago Heights
Thaddeus Jones of Chicago
André Thapedi of Chicago
Bob Rita of Blue Island
Al Riley of Olympia Fields
Pat Verschoore of Milan
The five that got the “green light” included four of five freshmen members:
Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria
Natalie Manley of Joliet
Marty Moylan of Des Plaines
Kathleen Willis of Villa Park
Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora
I’m not so sure about some of those, however. Rep. Verschoore’s spouse, for instance, was instrumental in convincing him to vote for the bill. Rep. D’Amico is Mayor Emanuel’s floor leader, so he had little choice in the matter.
But, whatever the exact number is, there’s no doubt that Madigan’s involvement played a major role here.
* The Speaker, however, was quick to credit President Obama’s public support for changing minds, as well as activists who worked the bill over the summer and the sponsor himself…
The speaker gave much credit to Harris, the bill’s sponsor, saying he was steadfast in the face of “unwarranted criticism” from some in the gay community who were not happy with the way Harris was handling the bill. Some activists had demanded Harris call the bill whether the support was there, contending failure to do so should result in his resignation. Madigan said those efforts “did not help the passage of the bill, it probably hurt the passage of the bill.”
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The religious opposition
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From yesterday’s debate…
“This bill is the worst in the U.S. in protecting religious liberty,” said Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton. “It does not have the religious protections most of us agree should happen.” […]
[Rep. Greg Harris] said the bill as written specifically immunizes religious leaders from having to perform same-sex marriages and also exempts religious facilities from hosting them.
Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, said that didn’t go far enough.
“Why are religious rights only granted to priests, pastors and rabbis?” Reis said. “What about our rights? This is about individual religious rights.” […]
Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, said biblical teachings should determine how someone votes on the issue.
“The Constitution has always looked to the scriptures for guidance,” Kay said. “I’ve heard nothing today about the scriptures. All I’ve heard about is human rights. My conviction is that this is wrong, but my conviction is scripture is right.”
* Also from the debate…
State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, who also voted against the bill, said the Bible defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and no government has the authority to undo that.
“Even if the legal definition of the word ‘marriage’ was changed to include homosexual couples, those couples will not ever be truly married in God’s eyes,” she said.
* And…
State Rep. David Harris, an Arlington Heights Republican, described meeting with a religious leader who urged him to vote “yes” and called him “homophobic” when he disagreed.
“It shows the tenor of the debate,” Harris said.
He said he rejects the suggestion people who vote against same-sex marriage don’t care about civil rights.
“Are those black ministers who represent so many African-American congregations … around this state, are they bigots who don’t care about civil rights? I think not,” Harris said.
* The Sun-Times caught up with Cardinal George and Bishop Trotter…
“It’s no enormous surprise. There was a lot of effort placed into passage of this legislation. I think it’s bad legislation, but we’ve lived with bad laws before. It’ll make some people happy … but it will also, I think, change the nature of our society over a period of time,” Cardinal Francis George told the Chicago Sun-Times after speaking at Holy Name Cathedral. […]
Bishop Larry D. Trotter, who helped lead opposition to the bill, applauded legislators “who stood up for God.”
“Regardless of the passage of SB10, we will always believe that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Trotter said. “Yet we will still love the members of the LGBT community. We pray God’s grace, mercy and blessings over the state of Illinois and the United States of America.”
* From the Catholic Conference of Illinois…
Today’s decision by Illinois lawmakers to change the definition of marriage not only goes against the common consensus of the human race – which understands that nature tells us that marriage is the union of one man and one woman – but it also undermines an institution that is the cornerstone of a healthy society. The optimal condition in which to raise children is a home that includes both a mother and father, since women and men are not interchangeable.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois is deeply disappointed that members of the General Assembly chose to redefine what is outside of its authority: a natural institution like marriage. We remain concerned about the very real threats to religious liberty that are at stake with the passage of this bill.
* Thomas More Society…
“While we believe it regrettable that Illinois legislators have now purported to redefine marriage as something different from the union of one man and one woman, we are at least pleased and reassured to hear that legislators insisted during today’s floor debate in the House of Representatives that Illinois’ Religious Freedom Restoration Act and other constitutional and statutory guaranties of Illinois citizens’ religious liberties remain in full force and effect.
We will do our part to insure that those fundamental religious liberties are given robust and unstinting protection. The free speech and free exercise clauses of our First Amendment remain at the core of our constitutional order, and no law nor any public official may lawfully coerce anyone to deny or disavow his or her religious beliefs, or refrain from professing those beliefs in the public square, or to go against those beliefs in practice.
This is still a free country, and Thomas More Society stands ready to do its utmost to keep it free,” said Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society.
* But religion was also cited by the proponents…
Advocates soon received additional help from Pope Francis, who warned that the Catholic Church could lose its way by focusing too much on social stances, including opposition to homosexuality.
“If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?” Francis said in July.
The comments sparked a wave of soul-searching by several Catholic lawmakers who had battled to reconcile their religious beliefs with their sworn duty to represent their constituents who were increasingly supportive of gay rights even as Cardinal Francis George remained opposed.
“As a Catholic follower of Jesus and the pope, Pope Francis, I am clear that our Catholic religious doctrine has at its core love, compassion and justice for all people,” said Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, a Democrat from Aurora who voted for the bill after spending much of the summer undecided.
House Speaker Michael Madigan also cited the pope’s comments in explaining his support for the measure.
“For those that just happen to be gay — living in a very harmonious, productive relationship but illegal — who am I to judge that they should be illegal?” the speaker said.
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*** UPDATED with video *** Getting personal
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* One of the more interesting stories during the gay marriage floor debate yesterday was told by Rep. Ann Williams…
State Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, a co-sponsor of Harris’ bill, spoke about a close friend, former reporter Terry Mutchler, and the committed but secret relationship she had with the late state Sen. Penny Severns, D-Decatur, in the 1990s. Severns died in early 1998 after a lengthy battle with cancer that forced her to drop her bid that year for secretary of state.
“Though I never met Penny, Terry told me they considered themselves married. They had a relationship. They shared a home. They were with each other through good times and bad. They were committed to each other as if they were married, but not within the laws of society. In fact, Penny’s [Senate] death resolution didn’t even mention her loving partner, Terry. Can you imagine that? How heartbreaking,” Williams said.
“Terry just wanted what so many people want — to express their love through marriage,” Williams said.
* Another interesting story…
State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, said after the vote that his own mixed-race marriage helped sway him to a “yes” vote.
* Another…
North Side Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy recounted how she once rushed at dawn from Springfield to Chicago when she heard her partner had been hospitalized and was in “excruciating pain.”
Even as she hustled to be there, Cassidy said, she faced a dilemma. She worried whether she would be allowed to go “straight to her side” or be denied access over hospital bureaucracy. Cassidy said she found herself “weighing the risks” of whether she should spend an hour collecting legal paperwork that would give proof that she could be allowed to be in the hospital room with her partner, Kelly.
Cassidy issued a challenge to lawmakers to think about what they would say when asked in future years how they voted on legislation to let Illinois become the 15th state to allow gay marriage.
“What did you do when faced with this historic moment?” Cassidy said. “Please, vote ‘yes’ and join us on the right side of history.”
* Another…
Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, said the issue mattered very much to the families that would be impacted, reading a letter from a 10-year-old girl being raised by a gay couple who asked, “Will you let my two dads be married?”
* Another…
Rep. Ed Sullivan, R-Mundelein, voted for the bill after saying his mother-in-law is gay.
“How do I face my children? How do I tell them there’s something wrong with their grandma? I won’t,” Sullivan said.
* And we’ll close with this news from the Twitters…
*** UPDATE *** Video of the proposal…
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GOP fallout?
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Sun-Times has a story on the potential political consequences for Republican gubernatorial candidates…
“Rauner will get a series of questions on the social issues that he’s refused to take a position on,” [political consultant Don Rose] said. “The guy who won’t take a position is always going to get the same questions. Very few people get away with ducking, particularly on hot-button stuff.” […]
Both Dillard and Brady said they voted against the measure on Tuesday because they believed it was unconstitutional.
Dillard said: “I believe in traditional marriage, which is a tenet of my religious beliefs. The Hinsdale Republican added: “I don’t know whether having gay marriage behind us changes anything in the governor’s race. Only time will tell what the gay marriage vote will mean politically.”
Dillard said it was too soon to know whether he might suffer voter backlash from a no vote.
Brady, a Bloomington Republican, took a shot at Rauner.
“He’s dodged every issue. He’s got to come to grips with the fact that you can’t run for governor and not tell people what your views are,” Brady told the Sun-Times Tuesday. As for the race, Brady said his voting ‘no’ again: “doesn’t change our campaign at all.”
* Mark Brown took a quick look at Rep. Tom Cross’ “Yes” vote…
Cross, who recently gave up his post as the House Republican leader to run for state treasurer, had been another mystery before the vote.
Even though it only makes sense for him as a statewide candidate to show that he’s got some compassion, it still couldn’t have been an easy vote for Cross considering he is facing a GOP primary opponent.
* As did Greg Hinz…
Mr. Cross — call him brave or foolhardy, depending on your view
* And the Daily Herald looked at a couple of House races…
And state Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego, just weeks ago the House’s top Republican, joined state Reps. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein and Ron Sandack of Downers Grove as the only House GOP members to vote “yes.” […]
Earlier this year, former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady of St. Charles was nearly ousted after Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove and others objected to his lobbying in favor of same-sex marriage.
Both Sullivan and Sandack face potential primary election challengers that don’t share their support of same-sex marriage, and at least one conservative political action committee is looking to put money behind those challengers.
Sullivan’s primary challenge in particular has been one of the more visible signs that same-sex marriage remains controversial in the suburbs, but he spoke at length on the House floor Tuesday about his gay mother-in-law and his decision to vote “yes.”
“If I vote against this bill, a bill I believe in, that I believe is the right thing to do, how do I face my children? How do I tell them that there’s something wrong with their grandmother?” Sullivan said. “Well, I can’t, and I won’t.”
Your thoughts?
* Related…
* Log Cabin Republicans Congratulate GOP lawmakers for supporting gay marriage
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