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* Derrick Smith and pensions are the big items in store for today. BlackBerry users click here. Everybody else can just kick back and watch…

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 9:30 am

Comments

Will Derrick Smith get Per Diem for showing up to get thrown out?

How do you fill out THAT travel voucher …

“8/17 - Springfield: Session Day, getting expelled.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 9:54 am
Great time to meet with legislative leaders. The day you call everyone back. 40K for nothing.

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 10:21 am
Senator Radogno’s comments today are very interesting. She talks about the compelxity of the pension reform issue and how there should be a separate discussion about many other factors. However, in her comments to the press yesterday she talked about the need for a single comprehensive approach. What’s it going to be?

Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 10:58 am
@Oswego:

I nearly spit out my water . . . LOL

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 11:28 am
==”8/17 - Springfield: Session Day, getting expelled . . . ==

. . . , an up day.”

Comment by Anonymice Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 1:43 pm
Raymond Poe and Tom Cross make a great point:

If we reduce pensions for teachers and public employees, only the wealthy will be able to afford to work for government.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 3:59 pm
While Cross and most of his caucus voted NO to abolishing GARS, Rep. Mathias voted Yes. The fact that he’s in a tight race with Rep. Sente no doubt factored into that vote.

Comment by reformer Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 5:26 pm
When Chris-Cross talk about comprehensive pension reform, do they mean comprehensive enough to include the judges, or not THAT comprehensive?

Comment by reformer Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 5:28 pm
Radagno celebrates teh choas she orchestrated. Well she and Cross won . Quinn does look like Blago-maybe even worse” a grass roots effort” Come on led by the bailout banks of the civic club.
If I were him I would shut up and be happy its just not the lead story anywhere I just watched Ch 7 ,Peoria and Quad Cities. Just brief mention of the failure
WBBM and WGN radio mostly focused on Smith
I will worry about the collapse in 2040 if there is anything left because of the Greenhouse effect

Comment by western illinois Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 6:10 pm
I think Quinn said it best
“people united cant be defeated” Someone paid attention to the bipolar attitudes. Including all pension funds is a victory for union. Thanks Quinn for your quote.

Comment by I sure dont now the answer Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 9:36 pm
The newsradio 780 reporter kept pausing I think he was trying not to laugh. He mentioned the organized group at the state fair….( he could have added at the Capitol today). Quinn said he would not be bothered by those organized people He would find new ones…?

Comment by western illinois Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 9:57 pm
In case anyone cares i just watched some 9-10 pm news Mentioned by C8 QC C31 Peoria and C 7 Chicago had stories @ 5 after as did WGN Covered teh pressers and finished with Quinns return to the “grassroots”C 7 wonders how that will work. Rick Pearson didnt mention the new crusade.
Does the Trib editorial board,the state subsidized CME and Ty count as grassroots because I too do some grassroots and I cant imagine anyone else joining. If he were a Republican their would be the small tea party in this state but they would never do anything for PQ.
I have not seen the breakdown of who gave money but judging from the GOP it wasnt the Ty/Civic fed group

Comment by western illinois Friday, Aug 17, 12 @ 10:24 pm
Still dont understand why most of this reform has got to be on retirees backs. They had an agreement when they started.(Illinois Constitution) Why not take most of it out on new hires and some on people that are still working. Raise the percent that they have to pay into retirement, pay more for there insurance. If retirees are going to have to give up some of there cola, drop it down to 2% instead of 3% over a period of time. And pay half their insurance, what they used to pay when working. In my opinion, the legislature is trying to do too much at one time. Also the big tax breaks they are giving businesses, they could wing back on this, to generate more money. Using the money toward the pensions, instead of taking or using the money in the pension account for whatever they want….

Comment by Steve Monday, Aug 20, 12 @ 2:43 pm