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Welcome back, Judy

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Illinois

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

“Is it weird that I’m kind of glad to have Judy Baar Topinka back?” a Democratic friend of mine asked me the other day.

No, I replied. It’s not weird. I’m glad she’s back as well. She’s crazy, I said, but in a very sane way.

Topinka was elected state comptroller in November by a huge margin, while spending just $270,000. That’s less than half of what it costs to run a decent state House campaign. Some cost many times that.

Down-ballot statewide races like Topinka’s revolve a lot around name recognition. Topinka was state treasurer for three terms, so Illinoisans knew who she was.

After Topinka lost the 2006 governor’s race to Rod Blagojevich, voters this time around may have tried to make it up to her by casting more votes for Topinka than she’d ever received before. She lost just two counties and performed way better in Cook County than any statewide Republican candidate, including U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk.

Topinka has kidded me recently for being responsible for that failed 2006 gubernatorial bid, which put her out of government for four years. I’ve covered her for more than 20 years and she was a great source of information while she was in the state Senate, so while she was attempting to make up her mind about challenging Blagojevich she asked for my thoughts. I don’t give advice, but I did pose two questions to her:

Are you comfortable serving another four years as treasurer with Rod Blagojevich as governor?

If Blagojevich or one of his top cronies is indicted before the election and a Republican goes on to win, are you comfortable with all of the candidates who have announced a primary bid?

Apparently, the answer was “No” to both, because she took the plunge, but then lost by 10 points.

Topinka has a well-known reputation for being tight with a dollar. She’s a thrift shop, garage sale kind of person who lives in a modest neighborhood in suburban Riverside. With the state’s backlog of unpaid bills in the billions, a penny-pincher is good to have around.

She’s also a beloved figure on both sides of Springfield’s political aisle. She’s not overly partisan, and her years in the General Assembly helped her understand how the process works. But she’s no get-along, go-along type. Topinka speaks her mind and has a very sharp tongue. Few in politics can get away with that, but she’s always managed to say what was on her mind while still getting things done.

A few weeks ago, Topinka did something that most Illinois politicians have refused to do. She got specific about actual budget cuts.

As state government slid into budgetary hell, most Republicans chastised the Democrats for not cutting the budget, but then refused to offer up any real cuts of their own. The majority Democrats were even worse. They’re in control, but they punted to Gov. Pat Quinn, sending him “lump sum” budgets that didn’t make any specific cuts but just reduced spending for each of his agencies.

So when Topinka mentioned on a radio program that it would be easy to find a billion dollars in cuts, I challenged her staffers to come up with a list. They did.

Not everybody agrees that her list would actually save a billion dollars, myself included. But at least she was willing to stick her neck out and put her name on some real budget reductions, including a $100 million cut to universal preschool, moving seniors out of nursing homes and into home care to save $120 million more, and eliminating the state’s $26 million Amtrak operating subsidy.

You may not agree with Topinka’s cuts, but we need far more budget ideas on the table. The state budget has been left to the two Democratic legislative leaders and the governor for far too long. Republicans and rank-and-file Democrats have abdicated their responsibility as legislators.

The object of a General Assembly is to collect ideas from all over the state and then percolate them in Springfield. And even though the state just raised taxes, budget cuts still will be required because the hole wasn’t completely filled, and pension, labor, health care and material and energy costs will continue to rise every year.

Topinka has put herself out there. It’s time for everybody else to follow suit.

* Topinka also told Bernie that she’s planning to unveil her own pension reform plan soon…

While not providing details, she said the proposal her office will forward will “provide for some customization” of pensions.

House GOP Leader Tom Cross of Oswego has advanced a plan for employees to have choices of pension levels.

“I could support Tom Cross’s position, but I’m taking it a step further,” Topinka said. “I think the answer is choice rather than meat ax.”

“As I read the constitution, I think it’s pretty much of a lock that says you have a contractual relationship with your employees and it cannot be diminished,” Topinka said. But she said her bill would provide “something that’s tolerable” if changes are made.

Thoughts?

* The governor will present his annual Budget Address on Wednesday. We’ve already covered most of this ground, so here are several roundup stories…

* ‘No idea what I’d do’: Child care programs, parents here brace for major state budget cuts

* Quinn warns of ‘lean’ year following major income-tax increase: The governor said he will provide details during his Wednesday budget address, but cautioned that sacrifices must be made in order to get the state’s budget books in order. “It’s going to be a lean year, we have to be very, very frugal,” Quinn said.

* Democrats, Republicans at odds over state’s 2% spending limit: “This spending cap is more like an escalator,” said Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine.

* Quinn wants to borrow $8.75 billion to pay down bills

* Quinn prepares for budget address, Republicans ramp up criticism

* Erickson: Quinn’s budget talk’s probably an un-reality show

* Despite more taxes, budget still won’t be easy for Quinn: Nekritz said that without the new money taxes will bring, Illinois would have had to cut services much more deeply than is probably realistic. The state might still have to cut $1 billion or so in expenses, she said. But it could have been worse. “A billion is a lot different than seven billion,” Nekritz said.

* Durbin wants unemployment aid for states: U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced today he will introduce legislation this week that could save the state of Illinois more than $200 million over the next two years.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 4:58 am

Comments

Judy was first elected as an independent, bucking the preferred Republican candidate. She has always had trouble toeing a party line from the conservative wing of her own party, fighting sexism and plain old craziness, and that has never changed, indeed, the far right seem to hate her more now than ever. But voters like her. She’s a very authentic person, she comes across like family, and this is why she is easy to get along with even if you disagree on something. I would take her handshake on a deal, and I can’t think of many in state government I could say that about.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:25 am
Judy is the type of politician we all say we want (practical, outspoken, honest), but we never seem to elect. I really hope she keeps getting away with it.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:28 am
JBT appears at least to be constructively and positively engaged. That’s certainly a change of pace from the GOP leadership in the GA, who apparently can’t stop complaining long enough to find a pencil to write down alternative spending and revenue ideas.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:35 am
Since I share many of her shopping habits I wonder if we could have a contest where the prize is a thrift store/garage sale shopping spree with JBT? It would be a hoot, I’m sure.

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:53 am
If Nekritz says the state “might” have to cut $1 billion or more in expenses, the operative word is might. We’ll hear a lot about cutting expenses over the next few days. But what if real cuts are made, and state government becomes less of a jobs and contracts farm run for the benefit of the Democrats and their big contributor AFSCME? Why, there will be less of a case for making the “temporary” income tax increase a permanent income tax increase. And the later has to be a major priority for the Quinn admin, Democrats as a group, and AFSCME, despite the usual disclaimers.

Comment by cassandra Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:56 am
I am not surprised that Quinn’s “$3 billion in budget cuts” turned out to be mostly smoke and mirrors. If Quinn had cut $3 billion in actual state spending he wouldn’t have to put out a press release detailing the cuts, the reduced spending would have resulted in massive layoffs and sent thousands to Springfield in protest.

He’s the “Great and Magnificent Oz” of Illinois, but his magic wore off years ago.

Comment by Louis Howe Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 8:58 am
Pension reform? She’s in line to get at least 2 pensions herself. Not a peep about that. What a joke.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 9:16 am
Riverside

Modest home prices don’t come to mid when I think of Riverside.

$100 million cut to universal preschool, that’s a lot for an area that is more in need than ever. There are more mom’s working full time, than ever and they are too busy on basic childcare when they are home from work, cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. to be a full time mom that has time to teach. I can’t help but think that many children will be further behind when they enter school.

Cutting nursing home expenses is good if you can save the money by giving at home care. Hopefully those who are getting at home care don’t have homes that need many repairs, furnaces etc.

A lot of children choose to put their parents in nursing homes, because they can’t keep up a home, cleaning and maintenance.

When most families, choose to put their parents are put into a nursing home, they sell the home, put the proceeds from the sale into a bank account with their children’s names, and then the seniors qualify for Social Security, state funds, etc. covering most, if not all the costs of a nursing home.

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 9:44 am
===Modest home prices don’t come to mid when I think of Riverside. ===

I never said anything about the price of her home.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 9:45 am
“When most families, choose to put their parents are put into a nursing home, they sell the home, put the proceeds from the sale into a bank account with their children’s names, and then the seniors qualify for Social Security, state funds, etc. covering most, if not all the costs of a nursing home.”

That may not be the case much longer. Federal law was changed in 2005 to prevent many of these kinds of asset transfers to qualify for Medicaid, and HFS in Illinois should be implementing these rules or similar rules soon.

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 9:52 am
I would question the description of Riverside as a modest suburb: Judy Baar Topinka used to live in Berwyn before she moved to the more upscale Riverside.

Comment by Abandon Ship Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:02 am
===I would question the description of Riverside as a modest suburb===

I said it was a modest home. There’s a difference.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:04 am
If you think Judy is living in a home where she needs to pay over $ 10,000 a year in property tax, you do not know Judy. Many of the homes in Riverside have property tax bills closer to $ 20,000. Judy is frugal. Her parents were in real estate. As to her pension, if you figure it out, she is probably working for free.

Comment by gg Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:21 am
This Democrat heartily congratulated Ms. Topinka at her inaugural party. She is genuine, hard working, and willing to work with both sides of the aisle.

She had to put up with Blago bashing her while criminally raising tons of money in order to do so. She deserves a seat at the table.

BTW, Riverside has plenty on homes that are modest bungalows and not worth millions of dollars.

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:32 am
Abandon, Judy never lived in Berwyn. She was born in Riverside, lived in Riverside her entire life except when she was away at school. You may be thinking Berwyn because that was part of her House and Senate districts but she always lived across Harlem in Riverside.

Comment by Right Side Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:36 am
RS, thanks for that. You’re right.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:38 am
There are plenty of modest homes in Riverside. There are some magnificent, tricked out brick bungalows in Cicero and Berwyn.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:49 am
I think that Judy’s “accordian act” is beginning to look tired. She is probably a safe bet for re-election, provided that she sticks to a low profile office, but she was never well suited to appearing in a leading role on center stage. Her carefully cultivated media persona is that of the class clown.

Unquestionably, Blagojevich outspent her during the gubernatorial election of 2006, but her tenure as the State Party Chairman of the Republican Party was an unmitigated disaster. Barack Obama owes Topinka a debt of gratitude for scuttling any credible challengers who might have replaced Jack Ryan in the US Senate race. The Alan Keyes fiasco received a valuable assist from Topinka who blocked almost any other candidate from filling the vacancy.

Of course, Rich relishes the prospect of posting the crazy “Aunt Judy” video clip online again.

Comment by Esquire Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 11:16 am
Esquire, the “Alan Keyes fiasco” was driven by the right wing of the party. Topinka and her supporters wanted nothing to do with him.

Comment by ANON Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 11:37 am
I think her list of cuts was a good example of what politicians ought to be trying to do. All the more impressive that there was only one item on her list — zeroing out Amtrak — that I thought was seriously deranged. Things like moving Medicaid to managed car ought to be commonsense policy.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 12:11 pm
@Anon,

Technically, you are “correct.” But it also seemed as if Topinka was prepared to veto any and all replacement candidates and let the vacancy in nomination remain vacant. She let Jack Ryan twist in the wind until he relinquished the nomination and afterwards found fault with every possible name brought to the state central committee.

I am not a huge fan of Jim Oberweis, but he did finish a close second to Ryan in the 2004 primary for US Senate. He was willing to run and capable of financing the campaign, so, of course, he was unacceptable.

Keyes was an awful pick, but if Topinka had not refused so many other potential candidates the discussion would never have gotten to Keyes. Yes, Topinka opposed Keyes, but the same could be said of the entire candidate field.

She was a really poor state party chair. She always seemed to be more interested in placating Democrats like her role model George Ryan (someone she probably denies knowing today).

Comment by Esquire Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 12:15 pm
=== He was willing to run and capable of financing the campaign, so, of course, he was unacceptable.===

He was unacceptable to the White House. Remember their Latino strategy? Remember Oberweis’ black helicopter over Soldier Field primary ad?

Of course not. You’d rather just spin yarns.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 12:16 pm
==There are some magnificent, tricked out brick bungalows in Cicero and Berwyn.==

Adorned with some of the best basement bars in the state.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 1:01 pm
she could have easily punted on your challenge, saying comptroller’s office isn’t responsible for suggesting cuts. kudos to her for not punting!

Comment by Robert Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 1:17 pm
I like Topinka, and regret that she didnt win; but lets not froget she was going to let celini walk away from his State loans on the springfield hotel for pennieson the dollar, and let him keep the hotels! if the AG’s office hadnt stoppedthe deal she would have handed celini hotels paid for by the State for a song.

She is not always frugal; That said, I would rather have her back as overll I think she tends to make the right call.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 1:22 pm
Ghost; do the calculations.Financially Judy’s deal on the hotels would have been better than what we ended up with.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 2:36 pm
“No, I replied. It’s not weird. I’m glad she’s back as well. She’s crazy, I said, but in a very sane way.”

It’s sad that even with Blagojevich convincted, Democrats can’t give up on the “crazy” thing or otherwise provide evidence of it.

Comment by T.J. Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 2:57 pm
–Adorned with some of the best basement bars in the state.–

Boone, some of those brick bungalow belt houses will still be there after the Sphinx and Pyramids are dust. Awesome workmanship and materials.

Makes me sad every time I drive west out on The Gipper in Kane and DeKalb counties and see those crackerbox subdivisions sprouting up in the best farmland on Planet Earth (sorry, Champaign County, but second best is good, too).

Meh, they’ll be corn and beanfields again in 20 years, or after a stiff wind.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 3:04 pm
Steve I did the calcualtions, her deal on the hotels would have rewarded cellini for cooking the books and ripping of the State on the payments. Thats not a benefit to us on any front.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 3:44 pm
–While supporters of bankruptcy are no doubt well-intentioned,–

I disagree with that statement, but I welcome JBT’s reasonable and responsible dismissal of this sinister idea. I encourage everyone to think long and hard as to the sources and motivations behind it.

Otherwise, next thing you know, governors will be threatening to call up the National Guard as leverage in contract negotiations with state employees.

In the year 2011. With much of the National Guard serving overseas. In the United States of America.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 3:51 pm
Ghost, her deal would have brought the state more money. Not surprising that an investor would be willing to pay more to keep his investment than someone else would be willing to pay.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 4:32 pm
3rd Gen / Secret Square, There are already “look back” rules in place and have been for over 30 years. My parents were inadvertently caught by them about 1976 or so after they had sold gma’s house a couple of years before going in the nursing home (while she lived with us); they were unaware of the rules and had to pay the money back. The recent fed & state changes just make the “look back” period longer.

Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 7:28 pm
It’ to bad that Judy lost the election to Blago. I firmly believe that we would be in much better shape had she benn elected. The Republicans blew it by not giving her enough financial help. I’m really glad she’s back.

Comment by mokenavince Monday, Feb 14, 11 @ 10:36 pm