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*** UPDATE *** After listening to the raw audio of the governor’s walk and talk with reporters, I’ve come to the conclusion that this was a manufactured story by the media. The governor didn’t sound to me like he was planning any sort of special session. Listen for yourself…
It appears that some folks were desperate for copy. That’s not a good thing.
* AP…
Gov. Pat Quinn is hinting at the possibility of a special session on pensions when lawmakers are in Springfield next month for the Illinois State Fair.
A bipartisan panel is attempting to come up with a solution to the nearly $100 billion crisis after the House and Senate remained deadlocked. However the panel blew past Quinn’s deadline to report back and he halted their pay as a consequence.
Quinn told reporters Tuesday that legislators will be in Springfield for the annual days devoted to state political leaders and it’s an “ideal time” for them to also work on pensions. But the Chicago Democrat wouldn’t specifically say if that’s his plan.
If the pension reform conference committee is still meeting by State Fair time, then this would be a needless stunt. Period. End of story.
But, of course, the media will lap it up. Quinn will fail again. Legislators will be even angrier.
And the 15-day clock might start ticking on Quinn’s vetoes if the House convenes a regular session, which would make this an even bigger stunt, with more media lapping, more angry legislators, more failure.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:17 am
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I’m not sure that “planning” is the appropriate word for any of the Governor’s maneuvers. “Winging it” would be a more apt description of what he does, except that none of his ideas actually fly.
Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:24 am
No surprise. Quinn is a one-trick pony. That trick is the publicity stunt.
Maybe he can promise the Solons will get free Bob Vose Corn Dogs.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:26 am
It makes sense to schedule it during the fair since so many legislators will be there anyway, but he should at least have a plan from the pension committee that he has publicly endorsed and is willing to fight for. The Governor needs to show some leadership on this issue and maybe meeting directly with the committee with his own ideas would be a start.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:36 am
Quinn has hit on something that works. Not here, of course - but then, the astute folks who post here do not constitute a majority of Illinois voters. That crowd, along w/the media, seem to be lapping up his populist stance. At least for now. Anybody else got a better plan?
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:37 am
Quinn has been concerned with one thing since January. It’s the same thing as nearly every single elected official in Springfield:
Winning their next race.
The notion of being concerned about the public or governing efficiently and responsibly is much further down on the list of concerns in comparison to their own political fortunes.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:38 am
==The Governor needs to show some leadership on this issue and maybe meeting directly with the committee with his own ideas would be a start.==
Absolutely the right thing to do for Illinois. And arguably right for him politically in the longrun. While he’s getting a short-run boost from his populist antics, unnecessarily antagonizing committee chair and possible candidate Raoul isn’t wise.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:43 am
Why wouldn’t the committee have a pension plan by then? What are they doing???
Comment by David P. Graf Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:48 am
===Why wouldn’t the committee have a pension plan by then? What are they doing??? ===
If this was easy, it would’ve been done years ago.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:50 am
Quinn is shrewdly ingratiating himself to lawmakers. They will now be able to charge their visits to the State Fair on their per diems…
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:00 am
What else can he do? No matter what is said about pensions and by who, I don’t believe they will do any thing.
They are all addicted to playing kick the can. Who will lead us out of this mess?
Quinn at least is trying.
Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:05 am
you show em pat! make them do their jobs. make them stay late. no pay. yeah, thats the ticket. (the blago playbook, version 3.0. it worked so well)
payback will be a witch. i can see quinn at the state fair, going down the giant slide, and oops, the carpet disintegrates. ouch.
democrat day should be a blast. who will introduce quinn, or sheila simon? will daley have his own rally? how many union members can fit onto the fairgrounds? gotta be a boon to a T shirt company and sign shop somewhere.
Comment by langhorne Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:18 am
The point is the governor can’t govern and legislators are too cowardly to take a stand. Why should any of them be paid?
Comment by BMAN Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:30 am
The sound link’s busted when I tried. Anyone else have the same problem?
Comment by Lord Stanley's Cup Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:47 am
Just wait a bit for it to load. It works on my puter.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 11:51 am
The whole thing is odd. It’s not my experience that either Party has a lot of legislators at their State Fair days.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:15 pm
Is Kwame Raoul going to walk back his criticism of Quinn. HIs managing of the pension committee is non-existent. Enough with the excuses of why they can,t get the figures, they have to have to have Quinn at the meeting, they cant do it by August State Fair days, etc. etc. etc. Have a meeting of the committee. If nothing is resolved then have another meeting. Pass some parts of the pension ideas, narrow down the issues. Start working on this or resign from the committee, all of you.
Comment by Tom Joad Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 5:28 pm
Let’s call a special session on the next election day.
Comment by No Sense Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 9:25 pm