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* From an Exelon/ComEd press release…
Exelon and ComEd, along with the State Chamber, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Civic Federation and others support Governor Pat Quinn’s call to action to reform Illinois’ pension laws and review Medicaid policy this session.
Chicago - Exelon and ComEd, along with the Illinois State Chamber, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Civic Federation and others support Governor Pat Quinn’s call to action to reform Illinois’ pension laws and review Medicaid policy this legislative session. These steps are required to improve the financial health of the State of Illinois, rebuild a sustainable platform for economic recovery and growth, and improve the business climate necessary for job growth.
We recognize that pensions are important to everyone and provide a level of security and quality of life that people work their entire lives to achieve. However, the current structure is in dire need of change that, without it, threatens the entire financial integrity of the state and the future of many public employees.
The Governor and the leaders of the General Assembly are taking bold, courageous steps to improve the financial integrity of Illinois, and thereby enhancing us as an economic powerhouse in the country.
These guys are always at the Statehouse either asking for special treatment or trying to stop somebody else from getting a leg up on them, so backing the leaders certainly helps them because it shows they’re “on the team.”
But it sure rubs me the wrong way. “Zap the workers and retirees, zap health care for the poor, but keep those special favors coming for the giant utility company!”
Such a great slogan.
* Related…
* New Tenaska plan faces same opponents
* Tenaska Compromise Doesn’t Win Over Skeptics
* State, teachers far from deal on pension reform: For the first time, the Illinois Federation of Teachers is hinting they might be willing to give a little. “Our members are willing to sacrifice more to help solve the pension crisis, but they are definitely not willing to bear the whole burden by themselves,” federation spokesman David Comerford said. “Although we have made our pension payments through every paycheck, we’ve offered reasonable changes that will result in billions of dollars of state savings over the coming years.”
* Quinn, business form unlikely alliance on budget cuts
* Finke: Jumping to action to cut off retirees
* Our Opinion: Legislators take step in right direction
* Time almost gone for input on Illinois school plan
* Chicago teachers polled in “dry run” strike vote
* Week in Review: Pensions, health care take center stage in IL
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 14, 12 @ 8:45 am
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I wonder if exelon/ com Ed and the chamber of commerce feel that we need to change the tax subsidies, tax breaks and sweetheart deal there companies receive in order to save the state some much needed money. I wonder how many of the state legislators that vote their way will soon end up on the their payroll.
Comment by Fed up Monday, May 14, 12 @ 8:58 am
Zap them, help me….
Isn’t that 95% of what folks fundamentally want at this point in Springfield.
Comment by OneMan Monday, May 14, 12 @ 8:59 am
Maybe Exelon can explain how removing retiree’s health insurance makes it easier for them to do business in Illinois…not seeing the connection.
Comment by Statie Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:16 am
A tone-deaf release like this pushes me towards supporting Cullerton’s corporate tax disclosure bill, and particularly for those companies that receive favorable tax treatment.
Comment by The Doc Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:17 am
–Exelon and ComEd, along with the State Chamber, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Civic Federation and others support Governor Pat Quinn’s…–
In other top headlines:
We have multiple, unconfirmed reports this morning of Unidentified Flying Objects over the Capitol Dome.
“They appear to be flying pigs,” said recently retired House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Today’s weather: an unusual cold front has moved into Hades, freezing the River Styx…
And in sports: Defending World Series Cubs will meet the White Sox this weekend…
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:33 am
The folks that get special treatment from this democrat in name only governor by getting deals are now wanting further sacrifices by the only folks that have been doing their part through out the last several decades.
The GA has stolen the pension money to promote themselves so they get re-elected.
The above organizations have taken every opportunity to not pay their full fair share of taxes, looking for special deals and promoting themselves by getting their insiders placed in positions that are responsible for their own regulation by making contributions to the GA and Governor.
Big business and the CEOs with the superinflated salaries, the GA who have caused the current fiscal problems through their own greed, and the Governor who has become so power hungry and reqady to take money from anyone who will back him for re-election so he may continue his power trip wage war on the only people in state service who are actually doing work.
Greed and power vs. service. I don’t think the voters/taxpayers are going to like what they have when the Gov., big business, and the GA get done.
Their pockets will be fuller but the regular guy looking for the services he needs isn’t going to find it.
Comment by Irish Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:34 am
In the military, we had a pithier slogan:
“I’ve got mine, #&@% you!”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:35 am
Gee, I wonder if tax loopholes, sweetheart deals,and subsidies that keep money out of our tax coffers has anything at all, in any vague way of threatening the entire financial integrity of the state? It’ll be very amusing however, to hear the whining (shared sacrifice remember) when property taxes skyrocket to pay for the lack of state funding for pensions—pushing it onto local.
Comment by Inactive Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:39 am
Come on everyone do you really think these companies wanted to put out this press release? I’m sure they were forced either help us out here or we will go after you next! What would you do?
Comment by Just saying Monday, May 14, 12 @ 10:04 am
–Come on everyone do you really think these companies wanted to put out this press release? I’m sure they were forced either help us out here or we will go after you next!–
I’m sure those powerless, voiceless weak little lambs are still shaking in fear.
They’re no match for the powerhouse Medicaid lobby.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 14, 12 @ 10:09 am
===They’re no match for the powerhouse Medicaid lobby. ===
Or for the unions, who clearly have the legislators in their hip pockets after lavishing them “with our tax dollars!”
Comment by PublicServant Monday, May 14, 12 @ 10:43 am
I’ve got a great way to save taxpayer dollars. Let’s repeal the rate increases for smart grids. Also lower electric rates for businesses will help them preserve and create jobs.
Comment by Dave V Monday, May 14, 12 @ 11:19 am
Funny the Chamber used to say how lower price electricity was a big incentive for businesses to come to Illinois - but they were all good with ComEd’s “smart grid” rate hike last year. Now they are together again in supporting the dumping on retires, the poor and seniors.
Comment by SportShoz Monday, May 14, 12 @ 11:28 am
Why is no one bashing the unions for sleeping at the wheel! They were NO where to be found Thursday when the Senate was passing it! Come on if it was that important to them should have employees and retirees at the Capitol everyday screaming foul until the end! Take shifts 500 at a time
Comment by Tired Monday, May 14, 12 @ 11:32 am
Good point the union is not doing the job people are paying into it for. Henry Bayer should be replaced
Comment by kayaker Monday, May 14, 12 @ 11:42 am
The union doesn’t collect dues from retirees. The more people that have to remain working due to smaller pensions and less health care subsidy actually helps the union. Don’t expect too much from them.
Comment by Choice? Monday, May 14, 12 @ 12:05 pm
===The union doesn’t collect dues from retirees.===
AFSCME has a retiree organization.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 14, 12 @ 12:06 pm
While maybe true that the unions benefit from workers working longer, the payroll doesn’t. If teachers can retire at 55 or 60 but have to put in 7-12 more years at the top of the salary scale, what has been accomplished? Don’t know about the private sector, but in schools, they start pushing you out in subtle and not so subtle ways around 50. Cheaper labor costs for the fresh out of college. But 67 is what everyone thinks is great, so we’ll have to see. I wonder how many parents of primary children will be fighting for their child to be assigned to the 65 year old teacher.
Comment by Inactive Monday, May 14, 12 @ 12:28 pm
==Come on if it was that important to them should have employees and retirees at the Capitol everyday screaming foul until the end! ==
Yep, that would have stopped that bill. Legislators really pay attention to screaming crowds out on 2nd Street
Comment by Bill Monday, May 14, 12 @ 12:29 pm
===AFSCME has a retiree organization.===
Totally voluntary. They didn’t do too good with retiree dental coverage. And that will be chump change when compared to the health care premiums that will be charged.
Comment by Choice? Monday, May 14, 12 @ 12:31 pm
The union is not doing a very good job at all. The current active employees are future retirees AFSCME will be blamed as they should be. A friend told me about SB9313 which would create a point system to calculate premiums.
Comment by kayaker Monday, May 14, 12 @ 1:14 pm
==AFSCME has a retiree organization.==
So does the American Federation of Teachers.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 14, 12 @ 2:20 pm
Would have been nice if they’d been active on the tax hike fight too. Largely absent.
Comment by Bets Monday, May 14, 12 @ 2:29 pm
i was wondering if the legislators are willing to give up their per diem their overtime pay when they go into special session or their extra pay for each committee their on to help save our state. ha ha how about we get rid of aid for illegal immigrants who pay 0 taxes and protect our workers rights
Comment by sick of chicago Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:32 pm
All top brass of AFSCME should be fired. They have no teeth!
Comment by Sick of It All Monday, May 14, 12 @ 9:45 pm