Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 * Today’s numbers and a request

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Illinois

Over the years, the Jesse White Tumblers have trained 13,000 young athletes and, according to White, “Only 105 of them have gotten into trouble with the law.” Tumblers who go on to college get $2,500-to-$25,000 grants to help defray the cost of tuition.

Pretty darned amazing when you think about it. Actually, you don’t even need to think about it. It’s an astounding record.

* Good point…

The Illinois General Assembly was sworn in less than a month ago but, as of Tuesday morning, 150 bills have been introduced in the Senate and a whopping 1,151 bills have been introduced in the House.

Almost none of them have anything to do with the subject that on which state should be focusing — cutting costs.

*** UPDATE *** Well, here’s one. From a press release…

State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) is sponsoring legislation that will cut the Senate Democratic Caucus spending by 5 percent.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* These numbers are why even some Democratic legislators want to change the way the system is run…

The state spends about $473 million a year on health care for retired state employees, [Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Julie Hamos] said. Very few of them pay any share of that cost, according to Hamos.

About 84,000 retirees enjoy the benefit, including all retired judges and legislators, plus all state workers who retired before Jan. 1, 1998, and those who retired after Jan. 1, 1998, with 20 or more years of service.

And…

Only 6,900 of the 84,000 people in the system pay a premium, according to Julie Hamos, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Contributions from those retirees brought in $11.9 million for fiscal year 2010 — well short of the $473 million in costs Hamos said the state encountered that year.

However, there are factors contributing to the disparity between contributions and costs beyond the relatively small number of people paying into the system.

For example, the state currently makes up the approximately $550 per retiree difference for those retirees not eligible for Medicare. Also, dependents of retirees paid only $40 million of the $150 million it cost to insure them in FY10.

* The number here is 25…

State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka will be getting a taste of her own medicine, so to speak, on Monday.

Almost 25 years after her legislation eliminating lawmakers and others from jury duty exemptions was passed, Topinka has been called to serve on Monday, Feb. 14 at the Markham Courthouse in South suburban Cook County.

* I’ve been wondering lately how I could better integrate social media into this site. My business model strongly discourages any off-site stuff. But seeing these numbers prompts me to ask you for some ideas…

Touting the auto as the ultimate mobile device, Ford marketing chief Jim Farley outlined the automaker’s social media strategy to open the media preview of the 2011 Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.

“With 500 million people on Facebook, we can reach more potential customers in a more personal way,” Farley said of the company’s continued move to new media. Its latest efforts are centered on the Focus, which arrives at dealerships next month, and the Chicago-built Explorer.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 7:14 am

Comments

Social Media suggestion: your tweets seem auto-generated — the title and as many words of the post that can fit. I think they’d be more compelling if written “for twitter.” My $0.02.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 7:32 am
I am a retired state employee with 23 years of service to the state. I would have had no prolbem with paying for health insurance if the state had told me this 20 years ago. Most of us budget our money to have enough to buy what is necessary to survive till the next check. When I retired I knew how much it would take each month for the bills and such. Any reduction of my pay due to the inability of our goverment to get it’s house in order over the years is unfair. If my pay is cut I will sue the state for my job back. I am enjoying my retirement but being forced to live on less than owed is not a option.

Comment by nieva Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 7:38 am
Rich - Love your site. My two cents on Social Media - the comments section could be updated to allow for a commentator to choose to be notified when additional comments are made in a section.

I like the anonymity option when making a comment, and it should definitely be kept, but some regulars may choose to create an ID and add a picture (could be a lot of fun with this crowd!)

In addition, the ability to share/promote your articles on Facebook, Twitter, etc to our circles would be greatly appreciated and lead to larger audiences and more exposure.

All this pretty standard stuff on sites and inexpensive to set up, though I know your last redesign didn’t go as planned. Let me know (assume you have my email) and I would be happy to recommend some people who have their own sites and do this very well.

Comment by jayhawk97 Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:04 am
===the comments section could be updated to allow for a commentator to choose to be notified when additional comments are made in a section.===

Um, dude, below the “Say it!” button is a box you can check for that very notification. “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail”

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:13 am
please oh please don’t make us join Facebook to participate on this site. I’m of the Groupon mindset. Lots of folks have urged Groupon to change/expand beyond their every day chatty emails with the grumpy cat, but they have articulated that they believe simple works. Simple is the actual word used. Works for the dreaded Drudge too. Urge folks to link to the site, find new ways to link out, but… stay classy Springfield.

Comment by amalia Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:42 am
I have mixed emotions on the retiree healthcare premium issue. On the one hand it is an overly generous benefit in light of the fact that so few pay anything - especially when it comes to dependent coverage. On the other, many employees were enticed into the various early retirement programs the state offered and were promised this benefit- like nieva mentions above. I know things have changed but when the state encourages early retirements with promises of benefits in order to save money and then decides at a later date that they need to save more money by cutting those very same promised benefits it really bothers my sense of fairness and justice.

Comment by Fed-Up Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:47 am
Re: social media
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

Comment by Bill Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:48 am
Rich, I wouldn’t change a thing. This blog is exceptional as it is.

Comment by Living in Oklahoma Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:54 am
Actually, you don’t even need to think about it. It’s an astounding record.

Especially when you consider the population he is getting those kids from. It’s beyond astounding.

Social media

Do you need to add anything here? Rather, I think, add presence on social media sites LEADING to here? Perhaps some targeting of those social media? Like appropriate linked in groups?

Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 8:58 am
Rich,

You might want to take a look at how Jim Derogatis of Vocalo uses Facebook. He just posts a blurb and a link when he puts new content on his blog, i.e. he basically uses Facebook as a RSS feed. It gives him a presence on FB but directs all of his readers back to the content on the website. And you could do the same with Twitter.

(The only issue might be the separate FB comment thread on the topic because I’m sure you would like to keep the conversation right here. But maybe there is a way to nip the FB comment threads in the bud.)

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:02 am
Rich, what about just setting up a Twitter feed off on the right with feeds from elected officials, political pundits, etc.?

Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:03 am
Either turn it upside down and change the business model or don’t.

Comment by nino Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:03 am
John, I used to have that feed. I don’t any longer. Not sure why not. I’ll go back and see if it still works.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:04 am
As a current state employee I would accept having to pay a reasonable amount to get post retirement health insurance as I can begin the process of budgeting it in now (am about 5 years from earliest date I can retire). But for those already retired, especially those enticed into early retirement using the no pay benefit, it seems unfair. I understand life is unfair but let’s see some numbers on how much can be saved by just going after new retirees instead of already retired. Maybe there could be a smaller premium paid by retirees.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:05 am
Doesn’t work. Sent it out for repairs.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:25 am
Two comments. I think it would be perfectly ok to allow retirees to continue their health coverage at the same rate they were paying as an active employee.

Second, you can allow posts to your site by authenticating users you have accepted as friends on say facebook. Keep anonymous posting but authenticating some users it could reduce the amount of your time spent monitoring posts. Also, I like the commenting layout of Amazon or Slashdot where people can rate/bump/bury comments so the best filter to the top. You can give users both a traditional view and the ranking view.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:32 am
Why should… and how fair is it… for anyone to pay more for HC premiums than when you were working. The constitution says that benefits can’t change. I will also need my job back or lose my home.

Comment by Retired and Upset! Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:36 am
Rich - I like your blog just the way it is….Thanks.

Comment by Retired and Upset! Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:38 am
Rich,
The new buzz in social media of course is gaming. By having your readers participate in games while they drive you can charge them for gaming and serve ads and do other stuff too. I don’t know, distract a few of them so the roads aren’t as crowded?
So, the question is what social media game would your readers like to participate in?
Since they are political junkies I think a game of feed the starving journalist is in order.
This is much like Farmville.
Your readers would be required to ask other readers to help them feed their starving journalist as they stand before an empty buffet.
You could ask them to feed us scoops, deep fried finger foods, carrots, alcohol, and follow through with the effects of too many drinks, carrots, finger foods, etc.
In some cases overfed journalists would gain weight and be forced into a health care program to lose weight. In other cases they could turn into wild imbibers of endless spirits… until their livers quit.
Successful politicians could take on more journalists, rising in favor over others.
What fun!

I’ll start: My starving journalist is looking for a horseshoe to feed him. Can you send me a horseshoe for my starving journalist?

Comment by Patrick Boylan Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:41 am
I used social media for my blogs mainly to enable sharing especially on FB and Twitter. All I had to do was use AddThis and place it in the blog posts. You’ll see how many people will share these posts or re-tweet them.

Comment by levois Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:52 am
When former employees, judges, and legislators retired, was it reasonable to think they would never have to pay anything for health insurance?

Did they get a promise in writing? If so, oh well, let the lawyers figure it out. Just another “untouchable” area where no savings can be made, according to those whose ox will be gored.

But it’s not a question of fairness and justice; it’s a question of cost. Health insurance costs have been going through the roof for years.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 9:56 am
I agree with those that suggest the “Share” option that links to Facebook twitter, etc; This would have to be an option on each individual post though, not just to the front page. BTW: Appreciate the site as is, can always improve but keep up the good work!

Comment by Worth It Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 10:07 am
===was it reasonable to think they would never have to pay anything for health insurance?==

The answer depends upon who’s doing the thinking. Employees were being enticed into early retirement with promises of low or no pay health benefits. Thee state thought (or believed) that the savings of getting these employees off the payroll outweighed the cost of the benefits promised. Now the state realizes it was a mistake. So whose mistake was it - the state or the retired employee who made a decision based upon the word of their employer? It is a question of fairness and justice. The fact that it is also a question of cost does not negate that.

Comment by Fed-Up Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 10:14 am
you could try occasionally adding Question of the Day - pick the ones that a lot of people are responding to - onto facebook. You might reach out to people who are fans of yours on facebook but who don’t regularly check your blog.

Comment by Robert Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 10:29 am
The fact that a state retiree does not pay a premium does not mean that coverage is free. Consider out-of-pocket costs for co-pays, deductibles and amounts above the annual dental deductible. Older retirees have significant prescription drug co-pays and more frequent medical encounters, which add up very quickly, especially if there are still dependents at home. Added premiums become simply another type of income tax. Retirees might prefer a 1% or 2% income tax increase over a 10%-to-15% health tax.

Comment by ANAL Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 12:24 pm
The lack of bills about cost cutting is a bit of spin. The cost cutting will happen in the budget. Someone introducing a token cost cutting bill, like Kotowski, is just that - tokenism. There are many ways to gauge legislators not taking their job seriously, but that tally is not one of them.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 12:30 pm
The State of Illinois (& CMS) should first ensure that the medical plans are managed correctly.

I was once a state employee and currently on the State’s health plan. Last month my Dr prescribed a drug and we both agreed the generic would be adequate and save me a lot of money in co pay and save the state money in rx drug costs.

Here’s the kicker; the insurance company denied the generic substitute and filled w name brand drug which cost me and the insurer about 300% more for this monthly script. SO why is the state allowing the managers (PBM’s) to disallow a DR and patient subbing generics? Yet then complain about high cost! I say get your house in order.

Comment by Larry Mullholland Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:28 pm
Some of the discussion yesterday was interesting, especially the references and links to decisions about benefits already earned. Which leads to an interesting question. State employees were always told the health deal could change; however the 20 year “free health insurance” is a current statute. The cases cited state you can not retroactively change things. So, playing devil’s advocate, does that imply they can’t change free health insurance for current retirees?

Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:39 pm
===I’ve been wondering lately how I could better integrate social media into this site.”

Two words: adult content.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:39 pm
lol

This is about as adult as it gets.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:41 pm
You could throw a few ledes up on Facebook as status updates and link back to here. You just need to train folks to come here.

Also, an RSS feed of items would be very helpful.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:45 pm
===Also, an RSS feed of items would be very helpful. ===

Clearly posted at the top right of the page…

https://capitolfax.com/feed/

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 1:51 pm
Maybe some Guest posts from elected officials, or point counterpoint type segment on occasion.

Comment by fed up Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 2:20 pm
Perhaps you’ve tried this but … creative use of hashtags (beyond the #twil). For an uber QOTD, use #capfax tag and let us watch the fun develop in a dedicated string. Use similar on the biggest news of the day. Might have to train the readers a bit.

Comment by LG Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 4:13 pm
Or perhaps a daily poll.

Comment by LG Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 4:19 pm
Look, we retirees need to face up to the fact that something needs to be done on health insurance. How about this?

We get a COLA each year of 3%. For the past 2 or 3 years we have been gaining ground against inflation, and we probably today have 105% or more of the purchasing power of our pensions 6 or 7 years ago. Why not each of the next 3 July 1 we add 1% of our pension monthly payment to health insurance premiums?

No one would see a reduction in take home $, and by 3 years from now each of us would be paying 3% of their pension in health insurance premiums. We could even exclude pensions under some threshold amount and do it for 4 years.

That sort of approach would reflect ability to pay, with some retirees paying more than 100 or 150% of the cost of their insurance, and others paying little, or even nothing.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 4:20 pm
BTW, I probably disagree with AFSCME’s contention that the state has to negotiate retiree health benefits with them.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 5:18 pm
Rich - completely forgot about the” Notify box at bottom.” My bad. Will go back to drinking now.

Still, I often cut and paste your posts here to send to friends. A Facebook/Twitter, etc share button for each post would be helpful.

Comment by jayhawk97 Thursday, Feb 10, 11 @ 5:55 pm
It might be fun if you could add snap polling to your site. In your QOTD, you often make informal polls where people have to make their case about why they favor something or not. But I would find it interesting to see a version of QOTD that was just a simple snap poll with percentages yes and no. The trick, of course, is to set it up so it can’t be gamed or griefed by factions with agendas. I know how you hate poll results that don’t break out all the miniscule details, and yet… ask USA today and Fox how much people like online snap polling. (Answer: a lot).

Comment by Techboy Friday, Feb 11, 11 @ 12:21 am
We’ve done polling in the past, and it always gets gamed.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 11, 11 @ 12:44 am