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Posted by Barton Lorimor
The state’s problems are many. High tuition costs and overcrowded prisons were just a few mentioned over the weekend.
The fact that the Senate Republicans put together budget cut proposals has been well received despite concerns over what would be cut…
The plan is a bold one, but its political future is doubtful at best. Hopefully, it will serve as a starting point, however, for addressing the expense side of the state’s budget crisis.
The poll was conducted by We Ask America, a subsidiary of a company owned by the conservative Illinois Manufacturers Association.
The company polled 1,184 Illinois voting households in an automated phone poll on March 20. Respondents were asked, “In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job Illinois governor Pat Quinn is doing?”
Of those polled, 31 percent approved, 61 percent disapproved and 9 percent had no opinion. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.85 percent. […]
Illinois Republicans plan on capitalizing on the governor’s low approval rating and frustration over the tax hike.
“I definitely think all of the legislators who voted for the tax increase are going to be held accountable,” Illinois Republican Party deputy executive director Jonathan Blessing said.
Not to brush aside the proposed Medicaid or education cuts, but this was an interesting proposal…
Among the cuts promoted by the GOP at a news conference was a reduction in the number of cellphones used by state employees.
“The state of Illinois has approximately 15,500 state-issued, taxpayer funded communications devices,” the report noted. “Reducing the number of devices by 50 percent would save $2.3 million.”
While $2.3 million in savings is nothing to scoff at, the Republicans might have this cellphone thing completely backward.
* Meanwhile, communities are starting to miss the capital construction projects held-up by litigation now before the Illinois Supreme Court…
The [“The Fix We’re In For: the State of Illinois’ Bridges”] report was released officially last week in Chicago and showed that statewide some 2,239 bridges out of 26,337 in Illinois, or about 8.5 percent, are considered structurally deficient.
Put another way, that means that one out of every 12 bridges a driver crosses in Illinois carries that “structurally deficient” tag.
At 8.5 percent, Illinois fares better than the country as a whole, which is at about 11.5 percent. Still, the report says Illinois ranks 35th nationally.
Without the great highway access from I-57, even the most creative and generous of business incentive plans would not have achieved what exists today or built hopes so high for the future. I-57 gives Marion and the eastern half of our region a tremendous competitive advantage over the communities further to the west - Carbondale, Murphysboro and Pinckneyville.
Those communities aren’t on the same playing field as Marion and the best plan to close the gap appears to be indefinitely stalled. We’re referring to the planned expansion of Illinois 13/127 to a four-lane roadway that will bypass both Vergennes and Pinckneyville. Without the improved link to Interstate 64 north of Nashville, the western portion of Southern Illinois will not easily reach its full potential for economic development and population growth.
As you know, there has been an effort to come up with some Plan Bs in case the Court tosses the projects package out, but the QC Times editorial board doesn’t want it to include gaming…
Illinois lawmakers should stop this gaming explosion now to protect the casino businesses that have a 20-year track record in the state. Lawmakers everywhere should avoid propping up one failing wagering business by diverting revenue from a successful one. Waning interest in horse racing suggests a marketing job for that industry, not an invitation for the horse tracks to horn in on an entirely different kind of wagering.
* O’Hare, on the other hand, apparently has a whole new set of problems…
The almost-completed first phase of O’Hare International Airport’s expansion had close calls that could have resulted in fatal airplane crashes, according to a Tribune investigation of incidents filed with the Federal Aviation Administration. […]
The potential for disaster has prompted the FAA to begin revising its daily alerts to pilots about airfield conditions and other procedures. Work to build a runway in the southern part of O’Hare will kick into high gear now that the city and the major airlines have agreed on the project after a legal battle. City officials say the work at the airport had met FAA safety standards but acknowledge that more can be done to improve safety.
Related…
* Illinois Senate President John Cullerton Hopes Cubs Proposal Will be Approved
* Tribune: Performance Counts
* No school has ever lost aid due to Title IX violation
* State says consider flood insurance ahead of time
* Chicago Bears license plates up for sale
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 7:51 am
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The Senate GOPs got a good smackdown from local mayors over the weekend.The largely GOP/non partisan group opined….
Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) members expressed grave concern on Wednesday about drastic service reductions or significant property tax increases that would result from recently proposed cuts to local government revenues disbursed by the state. …. members discussed the additional $300 million reduction in local government revenues unveiled by the Senate Republican Caucus last week in Springfield.
“Since the recession began, our members have taken responsible steps to balance our budgets through strategic reductions in personnel and local services,” said NWMC President and Glenview Village President Kerry Cummings, “with economic conditions failing to improve, many of our communities have now been forced to reduce the number of police and firefighters protecting our citizens. The proposed cuts on top of what we’ve already done may constitute a fatal blow to many towns.”
NWMC members have significantly reduced or eliminated numerous municipal services, cancelled or deferred repairs to deteriorating roadways and century old underground water and sewer pipes, slashed personnel and incorporated innovative best practices to make operations more efficient while using fewer fiscal resources. However, after nearly four years of reduced revenues due to the economy, many NWMC members have now been reduced to cutting fundamental public safety services including police officers and firefighters.
“The reality is municipalities have exhausted their menu of budget cuts in response to the economic downturn while maintaining critical services,” added NWMC Vice-President and Wilmette Village President Chris Canning. “This proposal does not represent the General Assembly cutting state government spending; it instead represents the state shifting its costs onto cities, villages, towns and schools.”
The Senate Republican proposal would eliminate approximately $30 million from NWMC communities and would require significant increases in local taxes to replace.
“The claim that $300 million represents only a 5% reduction to local governments is seriously flawed math. The money is locally generated; the state is merely the collection agent. Let’s be clear that this is not state aid. Local governments have been partners with the state for more than four decades.” said NWMC Executive Director Mark Fowler.
###
Comment by North West Nugget Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 8:08 am
I don’t care if state employees have cell phones but I think state travel could be greatly curtailed, using new and developing technology. Virtually all bureaucratic meetings could be conducted by videoconferencing, eliminating the need for to-ing and fro-ing from Springfield to Chicago, etc. Many of these meetings are probably unnecessary anyway, but if they have to take place, in-person meetings should be the rare exception.
Isn’t it possible for prisoners to appear in court via remote technology, at least for some hearings. And parole officers and foster care workers, say, could increase the number of contacts with their clients via Skype, raising the likelihood of successful resolution of their cases. At least some medical visits can be conducted over the internet–this is already happening in more remote areas of the country–reducing, for example, the need to transport prisoners, especially geriatric prisoners with many medical needs, hither and yon for medical care.
If we had $10 a gallon gas, these types of changes would happen very very fast, no doubt.
But alas, this is the borrow billions and raise taxes governor Pat, clearly not an innovation governor. So I guess we’ll have to wait (3 years, 7 years?) for any real innovation to take place in any areas of Illinois state government
Comment by cassandra Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 8:12 am
Why would any voter reward the Republicans for doing nothing for years and hoping the Dems raised taxes, and then after they did, talking about some cuts that MAYBE 15 of 24 state senators will support? Meanwhile, Tom Cross and the house GOP are avoiding any talk about cuts.
IL GOP’s still living in a fantasy world until their next disaster at the polls. It’s all just games, never anything serious.
The IL GOP is HOPING Cat leaves the state. They want the state to go down the tubes. That’s their only plan. It’s shameful.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 8:50 am
It’s more than a little amusing that the QC Times is against an expansion in gaming.
Back in the 80s, the QC Times and Lee Enterprises were the prime movers to get riverboat gambling approved in Iowa, especially in Davenport, where they were both headquartered. They made it a litmus test and threw their considerable weight to break legislators who opposed it.
After years of soul-searching, contentious debate, Iowa passed it.
And as soon as they did, Denny Jacobs across the river in East Moline lined up Big Jim and Cellini and got Illinois to pass it in a New York minute, lol.
The Illinois side had a boat up and running in Rock Island before Iowa, which honked off the Lee Enterprise poohbahs to no end. And Cellini, of course, made millions when he went public and sold his first-issued gambling license.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 9:06 am
- “Reducing the number of devices by 50 percent would save $2.3 million.” -
Yes, but what would be the cost of the tin can telephone network that would have to be set up to replace these devices? I bet the state could save a bundle by getting rid of half of the computers, too; but it might cost a bit to train everyone to use an abacus.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 10:00 am
Don’t have to worry about Disney World traffic and don’t have to re-roof the house every other year.
Comment by Barton Lorimor Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 10:56 am
–Why do any of you stay in Illinois????
I stay because people over the age and IQ of 10 don’t use superfluous punctuation as a means of emphasis.
Seriously, stop worrying about us. Get out and enjoy the paradise.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 10:57 am
I used to be a supporter of the GOP and no one that knows me will accuse me of being a Democrat. But I am getting so sick of what passes for the GOP these days and their “Plans and Ideas”.
I watched an interview Tom Cross did with Charles Thomas over the weekend and I had to shut it off or I was going to throw something through the TV. Why don’t these boneheads, Cross and Ragdano, and the rest, realize that the money that is owed to the vendors, service organizations, hospitals, schools, etc. is BORROWED MONEY!!!! These pseudo intellectuals keep going on and on about how they don’t want to borrow any more money to pay these bills because borrowing isn’t the way to fix things.
And what drives me crazy is No One is holding their feet to the fire and making them explain how borrowed money at 6% interest from a lender is worse than borrowed money at 12%-13% from a bunch of businesses that can’t afford to lend it.
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 10:57 am
Irish,
He is my major rationale for refusing to accept borrowing at this time.
We are being asked to accept borrowing on programs that are still racking up charges. There is no plan to stop overspending on the very programs that we are borrowing money to pay off. Until somebody (Predominately those in charge, you know, Democrats) show a realistic plan that demonstrates we will live within our means at some relatively close date, I don’t blame anyone for not supporting borrowing.
What was Einstein’s definition of insanity again?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:07 am
- What was Einstein’s definition of insanity again? -
Well, the Republicans are proposing allowing these vendors to remain unpaid as they have been over and over again. At least refinancing would lower the cost down the road.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:18 am
Cincy - So you are promoting the non payment of services/commodities already received. You are in favor of defaulting on contracts after the vendors have held up their part of the agreement.
Are we going to close schools? If the Republicans are so concerned that these programs will rack up more debt where is their bill to eliminate public education?
How Republicans can claim to be pro-business
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:21 am
Sorry - How the Republicans can claim to be pro-business and then leave these vendors hanging, some of them going out of business because of the unpaid debt. None of the GOP that is against paying these people what they are owed should ever make one comment about not enough job creation in Illinois. They are eliminating jobs and stifling job creation by not paying these vendors.
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:26 am
STL,
I believe Democrats are in charge. If they want to get it done they can. Don’t keep deflecting the lack of leadership by Quinn and his Democrat buddies, everyone can see through this ploy.
Irish,
I am consistent in my statement that promises must be fulfilled. This is true with state contractors who acted in good faith, and state employees who were promised pensions. I repeat, where is the Democrat plan to fix this problem once and for all. All we see from Springfield are increased taxes and a borrowing plan. On what other things should we judge?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:35 am
If there is money to be saved by reducing cell phone subscriptions how about Safelink.com?
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.
Very few people actually NEED a cell phone. I am not sure how this actually works but I would bet it is nothing more than a government subsidy to the phone companies.
Comment by tberry Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:58 am
Cincy, I don’t disagree with you at all on the fact that the Democrats have done a terrible job in fixing the problems.
I guess my frustration lies in my feeling that all partisanship HAS to be laid aside in this time of very serious problems, and it is not.
When I look at the whole picture I look for things that are the no brainers and say okay let’s at least get those out of the way so we can dig into the rest. I guess I look at things simply and in a hands on way. I liken it to walking into a big house with a lot of problems and saying, before I call in the engineers to look at the structure I guess I can at least shut off this faucet and stop that water from running. That’s the way I look at the backlog of bills. That faucet is running, we’re trying to save money and the water running is costing us at least 6% interest on 7-8 billion dollars. Let’s just turn that faucet off.
Now that the faucet is off are all of those programs necessary? Then get into all that. But let’s not decide whether or not we are going to have a better kitchen sink while the faucet is still running.
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 12:11 pm
Irish - Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 11:21 am:
Cincy - So you are promoting the non payment of services/commodities already received. You are in favor of defaulting on contracts after the vendors have held up their part of the agreement.
Irish - Have you seen Quinn’s proposed borrowing program? Its around $2 billion more than what is owed vendors. He wants to use that extra 2 billion to pay for operating costs next year. Thats what I am against. If it was a plan that just paid bills - I would be for it.
Comment by Moderate REpub Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 12:31 pm
Moderate Repub - I have read that, and I am not in favor of borrowing more than what is required to pay off the bills. So my reply is okay someone put forth a counter proposal to borrow just enough for the bills. Why aren’t we seeing that?
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 12:39 pm
Irish,
I share your frustration. But, remember Quinn’s first reaction to the Republican budget plan? I believe in a moment of truth, Quinn summarized his and other Democrat’s true feelings when he belittled the plan, without having had the opportunity to review it in depth. Democrats do no intend, want, wish or plan on accepting the responsibility they were elected to do. And given the derision they receive from Quinn, do you blame them?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 12:39 pm
the derision *of Republicans
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 12:40 pm
Cincy - Really? The GOP gives so much weight to Quinn’s words that they will abdicate their responsibility for fear he might make fun of them? Is this what Government is reduced to? So the citizenry is left waiting for these two sides to work through their elementary school playground antics before we can expect any action?
Comment by Irish Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 1:08 pm
No, Irish. I think the Republicans feel they will be used as scapegoats, and given the Democrats reneging on deals made to pass legislation just a couple of months ago, reluctant to stick their necks out. Ya blame ‘em?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 1:22 pm
The extent to which we here on this site allow partisan considerations to influence our statements determines (in my mind)the validity of the discussion we can have about our problems.
We can’t control how our political and governmental leaders think or strategize. We can control how we do, and far too many of us don’t, including some who appear to me to be among the brightest on here. Others do very well.
We should emulate them, or admit our own inability to do much more than spout party talking points.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 1:41 pm
–I believe in a moment of truth, Quinn summarized his and other Democrat’s true feelings when he belittled the plan, without having had the opportunity to review it in depth. Democrats do no intend, want, wish or plan on accepting the responsibility they were elected to do. And given the derision they receive from Quinn, do you blame them?–
What is this, “The View?” Who cares about “feelings?” They all were elected and took an oath to do a job. The Senate GOP is in the game now and that’s good.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:00 pm
- We should emulate them, or admit our own inability to do much more than spout party talking points. -
Schnorf 2014
Comment by Barton Lorimor Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:27 pm
- Barton Lorimor - Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:27 pm:
“Schnorf 2014″
Even though he is a Democrat, I might support Steve, simply because of his presence on CapFax, and the fact that he can add.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:31 pm
Try that party identification again, Cincy
Comment by Barton Lorimor Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:35 pm
Barton,
Oops. Where do I get a bumper sticker!
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:44 pm
The 2 most popular governors in our lifetime were both tax hikers - and both Republicans. Thompson and Edgar.
I think people are really sick of the hypocrisy and cry babyism from the IL GOP.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 2:46 pm
just saying,
Remember that Edgar was called Governor No because of his spending restraint, and when he left office the state had a surplus until 2002 when Democrats assumed control if the General Assembly. We have run budget deficits ever since.
Not cryin’, just saying’.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 3:07 pm
=== hypocrisy and cry babyism from the IL GOP ===
Is that what you are referring to, Steve? Classic.
Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 3:32 pm
Sorry, Cincy, but your 3:07 post isn’t quite accurate. When the Dems picked up the Senate in ‘02 and took full control of the General Assembly, the state was already $5 billion in the red. Granted, most of that was the lingering effect of 9/11 on the state economy, but that’s where we were left after Republicans Ryan as governor, and Senate President Pate Philip, were no longer in power. There is plenty of blame for both parties.
Comment by TwoFeetThick Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 3:45 pm
I watched some talking heads Sunday on Fox discuss what impact the Obama health care changes would have on the 2012 elections. Now first this tells you my other choices were not good. One thing I found of interest was a poll showing 39% for and 39% against the new laws. This would indicate to me the true moderates will decide this. The reason I say this is I also think I saw a poll which showed the country pretty well divided 40% hardcore Rs and 40% hardcore Ds. So I already know 40% of the country will hate anything Obama does and 40% will love it. To bring this to our state level the borrowing issue looks to be supported or not along the same lines. I do not know enough to know the right or wrong of it but if Quinn is trying to get 2 Bil extra let’s cut that and move foreward. I do not aggree with what Scott Walker is doing but he has the stones to move his partys agenda forward. My big complaint with the State Ds is they have control yet can’t seem to do anything. Yes I understand political gamesmanship and a percieved wrong move having the great unwashed masses letting the other guys take over. It’s going to happen anyway so get something done.
Comment by Bemused Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 3:49 pm
$2.3 million savings for eliminating 7,750 devices (15,500 / 2)?
That comes to just shy of $300 per device. Someone’s numbers don’t make sense or the state needs to find a better telecommunications contract.
Comment by Jeff L Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 4:29 pm
C, yes, I am a Republican. I prefer more moderate, less ideological, practical, problem-solving people. I generally agree with most of our party’s principles on fiscal matters. On the other hand, I won’t pretend 2+2 make 5, as some will. And, I am not at all interested in the gender of the person you are having sex with.
I’m guessing you are not yet of advanced age. If I’m right about that, I’ve probably voted for Republicans you’ve never even heard of. I’m guessing I voted for Richard Nixon before you were born.
Being a Republican does not cause nor enable me to pretend that we are absolute good and Ds are absolute evil, nor that they are always wrong and we are always right. My experience is that intellectual dishonesty, incompetence, and ignorance are not constrained by party lines.
I vote for good Republicans over good Democrats, and bad Republicans over bad Democrats. I don’t vote for bad Republicans over good Democrats, though that rarely means I vote for the D alternative.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 4:35 pm
Well said Steven. 2014? Cool.
Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Mar 28, 11 @ 5:41 pm
Well Steve, thanks for thinking I am not of advanced age (I do like to take contrarian views here on CapFax to stimulate debate.), but like you, my first presidential vote was for Nixon. I have not paid any attention to Illinois politics since I moved back here from Connecticut in 1995, until the past couple of years. I kinda missed the Ryan years as I kept my head down and worked on my bank account, which is why I probably missed your tenure in the state. Now that I’ve put your name in the Googles,I will guarantee that we have several mutual acquaintances, and we will probably meet in the future if we haven’t already shaken hands somewhere.
Like you, I no longer care at all about “social issues” as long as they do not provide a special interest carve-out in tax or spending policy. I don’t think that makes us moderate as much as libertarian.
And let me know when the bumper stickers are printed.
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 29, 11 @ 8:43 am