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Arbitration, closures and license plates

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Illinois

* As you already know, Gov. Pat Quinn refused to pay for state raises for 30,000 unionized workers last year because he claimed the General Assembly didn’t appropriate enough money to fund them. Quinn was right about the lack of appropriations, but during my vacation a judge ruled that he has to prove it…

A nonbinding arbitrator’s ruling last summer sided with the union representing nearly 30,000 state workers, saying they should get the raise. Now Cook County Judge Richard Billik Jr. says the arbitrator should consider the administration’s contention that $75 million needed was not provided by the Legislature in the budget for fiscal 2012. […]

Billik sided with some of the administration’s arguments, including that Quinn can’t spend money that hasn’t been appropriated by lawmakers even if bound by a contract.

But the judge said that for that argument to hold up, the administration must prove that it lacked the money, and he ordered the matter sent back to the arbitrator for additional fact-finding. No date was immediately set.

“It is the court’s view that because the amount of funds is disputed, further proceedings are necessary. … The case is remanded to arbitration,” Billik said.

* Meanwhile, the governor also talked about his rationale for closing state facilities…

Quinn insisted the moves were necessary to restore fiscal stability to Illinois when questioned by reporters after signing the budget over the weekend. “A lot of those facilities have been in place for a long time, but having said that, the mission has to be to carry out what’s good for the people of Illinois in their needs, and we cannot see state government putting facilities in places as an employment program”, said Quinn.

Quinn once again emphasized his reasoning for closing both the Jacksonville and Murray Developmental Centers. “We’re not going to have an institution-based system. Now we’re in the future. We’re moving forward towards community care. I think it’s a better way to go. It makes sure that they’re is a way of independent living, and a fulfillment opportunity for those who are in those systems. It’s a fundamental policy difference that I have with some members of the General Assembly, but I think that is what the people of Illinois want”, said Quinn.

* And Quinn came up with a populist idea for raising a few bucks…

It once belonged to a succession of Roman Catholic cardinals in Chicago. Then, it went to an Illinois secretary of state who would later be remembered for the shoeboxes stuffed with cash that he left behind after his death. Most recently, it adorned the car of a former Illinois first lady. […]

But for the past decade, Illinois’ No. 1 license plate — the most coveted of all the state’s nearly 7.8 million passenger-vehicle license plates — has quietly been kept out of circulation.

That has been the case ever since the widow of former Gov. Richard Ogilvie relinquished the showpiece plate in 2002. […]

But told that that’s the case by a Chicago Sun-Times reporter, Quinn now has a plan to put passenger plate No. 1 back into circulation.

He wants the plate sold to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to programs for military veterans.

The governor has long been a proponent of auctioning off coveted low-digit and single-letter license plates, which for decades have gone to those with political clout — including more than a few who ended up being felons.

Four other states now allow license plates to be auctioned to the high bidder.

No one can say for certain how much Illinois’ No. 1 might draw. In 2009, though, Delaware plate No. 11 pulled in a whopping $675,000 at auction. And that was No. 11, not No. 1.

* Related…

* ADDED: Prison workers say violent incidents on rise

* Illinois Has a Budget and 160-Thousand Unpaid Bills

* Budget blocks funds for prisons Quinn is to close

* Illinois Services Threatened As Pension Hole Grows: “It’s a little bit humorous to me,” Allan says. “The retirement card that I received today simply says ‘thank you.’ And the reason for that is because there are so many state employees and university people retiring within the city of Springfield that you cannot go into any store and buy a retirement card at this point.”

* Advocates praise Quinn’s plan to close juvenile prisons: “Consolidation of the youth prison system will drive down the cost of a system where the annual cost has recently risen to close to $100,000 per bed. That drains away money that could better be spent on rehabilitation of our youth and helping them transition safely back into their communities,” said Paula Wolff, senior executive of Metropolis Strategies, a Chicago-based civic organization.

* State still figuring out contributions for health coverage

* Budget leaves gambling bill, senior fares unsettled

* Quinn changes mind on closing transition centers

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:07 am

Comments

[snark alert] Quinn can now get rid of that backlog of bills by just declaring the legislature did not allocate enough money!

Comment by DeKalb Dragon Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:31 am
RE: Arbitration - given the Gov can transfer a percentage of funds and that agency Directors can transfer a percentage between line items within their agency, it’s going to be tough to prove there were NO funds available for a 2% increase in just the personnel line item.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:32 am
why don’t they do this with all of them and then up the cost of the ones that people request and use the funds for whatever impoverished child/women who have been abused program they cut this year. I am sure bearfn1 bulls82 ect as well as any single digit license plate would fetch a sum. I don’t think there would be a mass outrage over this kind of stuff.

Mrs. Blago by the way is welcome to license plate 14.

Comment by Shore Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:39 am
Our “Accidental Governor” continues his legacy as the most inept leader in state history. This is one Democrat that will never vote for a Quinn ticket again.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:45 am
“…Our “Accidental Governor” …”

Won the primary, won the general election. No accident there.

I was driving on the Ike years ago when a little old lady in a black Caddy passed me sporting Illinois “1″ plates. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out who it could be.

It was many months later that the Sun-Times did a story on vanity plates and revealed that it was Mrs. Ogilvie.

Might be a good future question of the day: Suggested vanity plates for state pols.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:54 am
AA is certain that one of the top priorities for the Leaders in Veto Session will be amending the Vehicle Code to allow one license plate to be raffled off like steer at the State Fair just to give Gov. Hapless a press pop.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:54 am
Good idea, Word.
How about ideas for a vanity plate for Mrs. Blago?
(IEATBUGS)

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:03 am
I’m curious what the future back-up plan is in the case of another emergency such as the storms that forced the movement of dixon prisoners? Quinn assures the prison will be repaired before Tamms closes…what’s the plan after that if another such quick move becomes necessary.

I tend to feel more than a spokesperson assurance ‘no problem’ (at least this time) needs to be long term developed. Illinois does not have the most predictable of unforeseen weather related incidents. I’m uneasy with the thought of automatically racing to sell off building/s the state already owns and is set-up for specialized prisoners.

Comment by Cindy Lou Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:05 am
I’m glad the State’s most pressing problems have been solved an we can focus on the disposition of a single license plate.

Looks like the same ‘here’s a kitty’ meme at work again.

On a lighter note, should the license plates for State pols come with a ghosting of vertical bars that would be filled in upon conviction?

Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:09 am
No disrespect meant towards veterans at all but it seems that everything PQ does is geared towards them. It seems to me that there are many worthly uses an influx of cash into the state’s coffers.

Comment by Stones Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:09 am
Yep, wordslinger…the Gov. won 4 of 102 counties in the general to take his place as the Gov. of Cook County. Do you like “Governor Irrelevant” better?

Comment by Deep South Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:18 am
Well, the above Deep South isn’t me. How about picking another name my friend? In any event, winning Illinois isn’t about winning counties….the state doesn’t have an “electoral college” system. Winning the most votes is what its all about.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:21 am
Sorry to take your name Deep South…first time user. Just not sure how anyone from the deep south can defend our Governor and his actions.

Comment by Bocephus Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:31 am
Why has the gaming bill not reached the Governor’s desk? It passed in May. Anyone have an explanation?
Thanks.

Comment by downstate hack Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:35 am
Stones, there is not much I like about Quinn’s actions/policies, but I do respect what he’s done for vets. I don’t think his support for vets, while probably politically motivated, has created any adverse consequences for the non-vet citizens of the state. Our vets need all the support they can get.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:36 am
–Yep, wordslinger…the Gov. won 4 of 102 counties in the general to take his place as the Gov. of Cook County. Do you like “Governor Irrelevant” better?–

Irrelevant? Not so long as the veto pen works.

What’s irrelevant is the never-ending “four of 102 counties” nonsense. My “village” has more voters than more than 70 Illinois counties. So what? My vote still counts as one. How many should you get?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:36 am
===My “village” has more voters than more than 70 Illinois counties.===

Nice perspective.

You didn’t mention, however, that your village of Oak Park has about 51,000 people, about the population of a single Chicago ward.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:41 am
Norseman, you are correct - nobody in this day and age are going to disagree about programs and support of veterans including myself. My point however is that our state has more needs than resources.

Comment by Stones Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 11:54 am
I’d love to see Quinn’s approval ratings outside of Cook County. Guess that would be too much “nonsense.”

Comment by Bocephus Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:01 pm
“Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms or cities or economic interests.”

Chief Justice Earl Warren

“…the forces of our national life are not brought to bear on public questions solely in proportion to the weight of numbers. If they were, the 6 million citizens of the Chicago area would hold sway in the Illinois Legislature without consideration of the problems of their 4 million fellows who are scattered in 100 other counties. Under the Court’s new decree, California could be dominated by Los Angeles and San Francisco; Michigan by Detroit..”

Senator Everett Dirksen

Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:01 pm
ENOUGH WITH THE FOUR COUNTIES NONSENSE! (Sorry, Soccermom had an horrific weekend, and not in a good way.)

Pat Quinn won a primary fight to become the Dem nominee for Lt. Gov. One can presume that the voters of Illinois knew that the Lt. Gov steps up if the Governor steps down or drops dead. So it is hardly “accidental” that Pat Quinn became governor when Rod went to his reward.

Pat Quinn then faced a tough primary challenge, and won. And then won in a tough general election. Yes, more than half of his votes were in Cook County. That’s where most of the votes ARE. (And incidentally, Bill Brady got 400,000 votes in Cook. Should we erase them from his totals on the grounds that they were tainted by Chicago?)

Not to mention — Pat Quinn pulled more than 800,000 votes outside of Cook. So clearly he had support statewide.

I have an idea — let’s redraw the county lines so they each hold the same number of voters. And while we’re doing it, let’s reduce the number of counties to 50, and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

And then let’s have forced remedial civics education for everybody who thinks that our political system is based on a one-county, one-vote principle.

Bah, humbug.

Comment by soccermom Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:12 pm
Rich, you are correct and there are more GOP votes in many of those wards than there are in many downstate counties. If you hustle.

Bigwitch, I think Warren got the better of that one (with the exception, of course, of the Constitutionally mandated unequal representation in the U.S. Senate). I’m sure southern Illinois doesn’t mind their disproportionate amount of state dollars.

For the record, however:

Combined population of Quinn’s Mighty Four (Alexander, Cook, Jackson, St. Clair):

5.5 million

Combined population of the 98 Victims:

7.4 million

No matter how you slice it, the Brady Bunch lost it, fair and square.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:30 pm
Deep South – If I may, how about “Governor Inept.” It’s the most indisputably accurate and concise epithet for Mr. Quinn.

Norseman – I don’t dispute that the Governor’s heart is in the right place when it comes to veterans, but I think Stone’s point is that his head is in the wrong place. He needs to stop wasting valuable time and energy pursuing stuff like this and get his head around the enormity of the problems facing this state. He is the Governor of Illinois, not the fundraising chair for the Wounded Warrior Fund.

Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:43 pm
So the legacy of this Governor will be.” I improved things north of Rte. 80″, “no contract is worth the paper it is written on.” and “The biggest patronage Governor in two decades. And don’t get in my way of appointing my buddies to lucretive positions or it is war.”

Patronage is the reason that the Governor has declared war on the unions and the reason for every closure, layoff, reneging on the contract. etc. Bottomline the Governor is very irritated that the unions are fighting him on kicking the old PSA positions out of the union. He wants more places to put people he owes favors. He is running out of made up administrative jobs where he can put his cronies and he needs more positions. The unions are fighting him and so he is making them pay for that. Pay to Play is alive and very well.

Comment by Irish Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:10 pm
===The biggest patronage Governor in two decades===

You gotta be kidding me.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:13 pm
I suspect anyone that could afford $675k for a license plate left IL after the income tax hike.

Comment by Allen Skillicorn Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:49 pm
So there’s allegedly a shortage of “Good luck on your retirement” greeting cards in Springfield-area stores because of the recent stampede of state employees retiring? Can anyone else vouch for this?

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:11 pm
Community Care” means state contracts for political allies.It also may be deadly to the victims of this scam.I am not a union booster in this issue.I saw the results of the last “Community Care “debacle in the past.Tragic.

Comment by Jimbo Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:22 pm
Irish,

If Blago & Quinn hadb’t mistreated the PSA’s so bad, they wouldn’t be in the union in the first place.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:27 pm
RNUG -I couldn’t agree more

Comment by Irish Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 3:09 pm
Google Metropolis Strategies.

Comment by Tobor Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 3:13 pm
8 and variations of 8 are lucky numbers in Chinese. In Hong Kong, license plates w/ 8 have sold for hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars by 1%ers who want the numbers. Indeed, condos and apartments on the 8th floor of buildings sell/rent for more than other floors, I understand. So, for once, Gov. Squirrel may be onto something.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 4:45 pm
-8 and variations of 8 are lucky numbers in Chinese-
Wouldn’t you know it, Jim Thompson ends up with the lucky number?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 5:35 pm
How is it that Quinn and his idiot advisers are going to close State run facilities in DOC and leave open CONTRACT ones- put State employees out of a job and have contract workers doing the same work—- what kind of contributions are they giving?
But I guess when his Chief of Staff worked for BLAGO what do you expect

Comment by TIRED OF HIM Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 5:40 pm
Tired Of Him,

AMEN!!!

Comment by anon Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 5:47 pm
Tired of Him,

Big ones … that’s the way the system works. It is much easier to torque a single large annual campaign contribution out of the contract holder than it is to try to get small contributions out of actual State employees … especially because that is unethical / illegal unless it is totally voluntary … or at least I thought that ethics test said it was bad.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 10:21 pm
It sounds nice, but just once I would like…

To see Pat Quinn come up with a one time revenue thing that goes to something besides vets… Like school transportation, DHS Inspectors, State Parks, etc….

We get it Pat and good for you, but expand the focus a touch.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 10:02 am
Not to get all googoo, but closing State facilities and reducing the State payroll eases the pressure on the pension systems.

Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 10:04 am