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* A Democratic higher-up worried late last week that the momentum would be lost on pension reform if members were sent home while the leaders tried to cut a deal. So far, though, the media has been brutal. Check out this over the top CBS2 story that was picked up by the Illinois-hating Matt Drudge…

Illinois lawmakers may have gotten stymied on the issue of pension reform, a multi-billion-dollar mess affecting every taxpayer in the state.

But at least they managed to pass a bill involving miniature horses.

You heard that right. Under a measure the House sent to Gov. Quinn Thursday night – the evening members were supposed to consider a cost-saving pension bill – people with disabilities could use miniature horses as service animals in public places, much like guide dogs are used.

The vote was near-unanimous.

Whatever.

* First of all, the Americans with Disabilities Act already classifies miniature horses as guide animals. Illinois is just getting itself into compliance…

The Guide Horse Foundation says that guide horses have several characteristics that make them a great alternative when service dogs are not suitable, as guide horses can be useful for people with severe allergies or phobias to dogs, or people who want an animal likely to live longer than a dog. Miniature horses usually have a docile nature but can be strong enough to provide support while their handler gets up from a chair. As well, the foundation says the mini-steeds have shown excellent judgment and are not easily distracted by crowds.

* Secondly, the General Assembly passed several bills this session, including some pretty good ones, like this…

The House voted 68-50 Thursday to reinstate sentence credits for prisoners who stay out of trouble behind bars or participate in self-improvement programs.

Non-violent inmates could qualify for as much as six months’ time off their sentences.

Quinn shut down a similar program in 2009 after The Associated Press reported his Corrections Department released violent inmates weeks or even days after arriving at prison.

Now, the prison population is 14,000 over capacity. Officials fear a lawsuit over the congestion.

Then, of course, there was the Medicaid fix.

But talking about serious, bipartisan legislation to address very big problems would’ve completely ruined a masterful cheap shot. It’s so much easier to write about miniature horses.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 8:42 am

Comments

“Illinois-hating Matt Drudge”?

I don’t get the idea that anything here (or in California for that matter) really sets him off other than the abysmal financial chicanery (which is a threat to the national economic well being).

Comment by titan Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:05 am
Well said. Id say more but Drudge requires expleteves

Comment by western illinois Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:08 am
Does Drudge talking about minature horses make him a neaaa sayer?

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:17 am
- The vote was near unanimous. -
Wonder which horse’s butt voted “naaaaay”?

Comment by Blago's Hare Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:18 am
That’s right, Titan, Drudge is a sober sentinel guarding our national economic well-being, with no interest at all in sensationalism or hyperbole.

And certainly, he has no ax to grind against Obama or Illinois.

He just considers issues vital to The Republic. Like these today:

“Artist turns his dead cat into helicopter…”

“Man beheads wife, throws body parts from balcony…”

“Man’s death during threesome nets his family $3M in trial…”

“French police hunt ‘Canadian Psycho’ in Paris…”

“ZOMBIE SUMMER: Gruesome cannibal cases in Miami, Texas & Maryland…”

“Cops: Black Man Disguised As Elderly White Man Robs 11 Banks!”

Try as he might, though, he’ll never top this NY Post classic from the 80s:

“Headless Body in Topless Bar!”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:29 am
Not sure about the House, but Sen. Syverson was opposed because of the horrific bedlam that will no doubt ensue once little horsies are in the classroom. I think he just doesn’t like the little guys.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/illinois-senate-miniature_n_1523993.html

Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:30 am
It’s not like this is the first GA session that the pension can has been kicked down the road. While it was a sensational headline, Illinois pols deserved it for the inaction and antics that went on with pension reform.

If Illinois weren’t managed so poorly, perhaps Illinois wouldn’t draw the ire of Drudge. Just sayin’….

Comment by Shemp Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:33 am
Miniature Horses = Funny.

Comment by John A Logan Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:37 am
===If Illinois weren’t managed so poorly, perhaps Illinois wouldn’t draw the ire of Drudge.===

Yeah. I’m sure that’s it. Drudge is purely concerned with Illinois’ problems for financial reasons. Obama has nothing to do with it whatsoever. Nope. Nada. Zip.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:46 am
I guess one way is to look at it as a cheap shot. The other is, compared to the pension liability that the state has dug itself with, it’s a pretty honest take. The pointy to outsiders, Fix the problem with pensions, anything short is a joke. Living here, I can’t say I don’t share the same opinion. Ever see the Tweets from Madigan? It’s insulting at best. Our last 2 Governors are in Jail. People fein there serious…action, no more rhetoric… I think all the voters are as Madigan tweeted the picture of Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie brown. I don’t even blame him anymore… I am sorry, time to face the facts. We are a joke.

Comment by Tallest Midget Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:52 am
===Ever see the Tweets from Madigan? ===

Um, huh?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:54 am
Are you possibly referring to the fake Madigan Twitter account? If so, you really need to stop commenting here right now. Nobody that ridiculously silly is allowed in here. Except for Bill. He gets a pass.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:55 am
LOL, can you imagine Madigan with a Twitter account, like a Kardashian or a Rutherford?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 10:06 am
And how many sites mock the south, Florida, etc. Get over it. Drudge does what he does.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 11:06 am
===Get over it. Drudge does what he does. ===

And I do what I do. Get over it.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 11:09 am
=I am sorry, time to face the facts. We are a joke.=

But he got that one right, Rich.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 11:14 am
Shoot the messenger!!1111!!!

How dare Drudge mock the Great State O’ Illinois? We all know Illinois is just doing fine and dandy and we will have no worries until we start to see negative comments in The Nation, Mother Jones, MSNBC and The New York Times.

Comment by benevolent hegemon Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 12:56 pm
http://www.guidehorseno.com/summary.html

Anyone ever looked into the problems with guide horses, or do we just parrot what the supporters say?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 6:54 pm
In all fairness Rich I think most of us would agree Bill has earned his place here with his lunacy regarding Blagojevich….

Comment by 618er Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 7:58 pm
You mean those aren’t Mike Madigan’s tweets?
Next you’ll tell me that’s not really Pat Quinn’s brain.
Thank goodness I can always rely on FakeHouseNews

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 8:36 pm
Anyone that that uses the Drudge report as their news source has problems of their own. Hardly a respected source of unbiased “news.” I believe you could even call it propoganda.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 4, 12 @ 9:00 pm