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Rauner to unveil actual bills today, with no “right to work” in sight

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Illinois

With just 10 days remaining in the spring legislative session, Gov. Bruce Rauner has finally put large parts of his so-called Turnaround Agenda into bill form, a move that follows months of criticism by Democrats who argued there was no way to vet his plans.

Rauner aides shared copies of five pieces of legislation with reporters late Thursday, including measures that would make changes to workers’ compensation insurance for employees hurt on the job, overhaul the system for awarding judgments in civil cases and freeze local property taxes. Also drafted were two constitutional amendments that would set term limits for lawmakers and statewide officials and change the way legislative boundaries are drawn.

Administration officials say the legislation will be formally filed Friday, but would not say who they’ve recruited to sponsor the measures. The governor’s office said it decided to release the information after Democrats walked away from the bargaining table.

* The administration won’t be filing a “right to work” zones bill, however…

Not included in the stack of new bills is legislation to create right-to-work zones where union membership would be voluntary — a proposal that has drawn heavy protests from organized labor and that House lawmakers soundly defeated during a symbolic vote last week.

But the legislation will include measures to allow some local governments to opt out of collective bargaining with public-employee unions and prevailing wage agreements, which set a minimum level of salary and benefits for work on government projects. Rauner has said the agreements drive up the cost of public construction projects.

* AP…

A spokesman for Rauner declined to comment on the proposals Thursday. But Rep. Ed Sullivan, a member of House Republican leadership, said the package represents Rauner’s attempts to compromise with Democrats who control the Legislature following weeks of closed-door, bipartisan meetings. […]

Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, said they would review the bills, but offered no guarantees they would advance.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Dems do with the term limits and redistricting proposals. No way does MJM want to deal with term limits on the floor. Everything else could likely be killed off without much worry.

* Sun-Times…

Sources say the move by Rauner’s administration is to respond to complaints by Democrats that the governor has failed to give them specific language he wants included in reform measures he’s pushing.

“Democrats have all but abandoned his working groups,” one source with knowledge of the proposals told the Sun-Times. “This is his response to the Democrats’ failure to cooperate and meaningfully find common ground on his agenda items.” […]

One Republican said the six so-called “vehicle bills” to be filed Friday should at least get an airing on the committee level.

“I welcome that opportunity. Look, from a minority perspective in the House, we’re fighting off bad bills and fighting off bad bills brought ostensibly in the name of the governor. They were examples of political theater only,” said state Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove. “I’d like to have a real debate. I think the issues are important enough to have a serious discussion.”

If they want committee hearings, though, maybe the Dems will oblige.

* Meanwhile, House Speaker Michael Madigan has filed a package of amendments dealing with workers’ comp. A vote on tort reforms had been planned today, but that’s being pushed off until next week.

The business community is asking for “Present” votes from members…

Illinois job creators have consistently called for comprehensive and meaningful reform of the Workers’ Compensation Act that will significantly reduce costs for employers – private and public sector - while protecting the rights of legitimately injured workers and ensuring their access to quality health care. Despite the 2011 reforms, Illinois still has the 7th highest cost of workers’ compensation in the United States and it is consistently cited as one of the primary reasons that companies move out of state or choose not to invest capital and grow jobs in Illinois.

“At this time, we are asking all House lawmakers to vote present on the workers’ compensation amendments filed yesterday until our elected officials have reached comprehensive agreement on reform. Illinois employers stand ready to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle.”

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association
Illinois Retail Merchants Association
National Federation of Independent Business
Associated Builders & Contractors
Home Builders Association of Illinois
Illinois Self-Insurers Association
Mid-West Equipment Dealers Association
Mid-West Truckers Association
Technology & Manufacturing Association

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:05 am

Comments

Are term limits and redistricting constitutional amendments or bills?

If they are presented as bills, I imagine he could rule that they are out of order because they should be constitutional amendments. Or he could refuse to call them based on that reasoning.

If they are constitutional amendments, I think he can get enough members to take a walk, vote present, or vote “no” to kill them if they ever went to a vote. But you are correct that he probably doesn’t even want the debate.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:12 am
The workers compensation reform is a no brainer. Why would anyone be opposed? The cost of living in IL is barely above the national average, but our workers comp system is the 7th most expensive?

Comment by Tone Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:13 am
Hi Rich -

The Governor was delighted with the overwhelming popular support his right-to-work zones idea received in many of Illinois’ most vibrant communities. Unfortunately, the corrupt bargain with the corrupt special interests won out in favor of the corrupt status quo. The Governor will not pursue right -to-work zones in legislation at this time but will continue fighting for them and the good people of the state.

Thanks,
ck!

Ps, can I get something else to do now?

Comment by Anon Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:19 am
RTW was never going to be a realistic legislative issue. Good to see that acknowledged.

Holding big, contentious bills until the last week of session, might work for Madigan. It is way too risky for the minority who naturally have a longer hill to climb.

We shall see.

Comment by walker Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:20 am
Welp, here come the votes.

You know, the “$&@#%” problem votes. The GOP GA will do as they are told, partnership long past possible.

The Term Limits and Map proposals are going to be hammered and shook with amendments, that talking to the two issues just won’t be possible.

Plus, Rauner doesn’t really want votes on failed agenda points.

So, there’s room for Rauner to pretend they all matter as they all die in a committee, without total embarrassment, or try to hold on as the embarrassing vote after vote takes place with the mere hope of Maps and Term Limits might see debate time.

Or, burn down the village, hold the villagers hostage, with the ransom note found in a newspaper.

Not many good political options, but I’m a “them” not an “us” and the “us” Crew knows better…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:27 am
I’m actually really pleased we finally get some bills to scrutinize- though I feel really bad for staff that they’re all sprung on them right before what coulda/woulda/shoulda been a 3 day weekend.

Also glad that RTWFL is dead, dead, dead.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:27 am
Really don’t understand why Rauner Team didn’t offer these bills three weeks ago. That would have provided better chances for impact on whatever passes on these topics.

Perhaps they didn’t want the time for their ideas to be torn apart. Perhaps they believed the working groups would produce better. Perhaps they knew most would fail anyway, and they wanted to ensure maximum opportunity to blame Democrats or career politicians.

None of those are good reasons. Does anyone have better explanations for the delay tactic?

Comment by walker Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:28 am
Friday May 22nd and finally our governor offers some language in bill form–it only took until his sham negotiating groups collapsed from his complete refusal to put anything in writing.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:31 am
==Does anyone have better explanations for the delay tactic?==

Amateurism? The downside of electing a governor who has never worked in politics is you get a governor who doesn’t know how politics works.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:36 am
In a cost saving measure, the governor’s office only rents printers on Friday. Today, they’ve printed their legislative proposals.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:38 am
==Does anyone have better explanations for the delay tactic?==
No. My guess is that your “Perhaps they believed the working groups would produce better” hypothesis is correct.

Seems odd to me that Team Rauner is presenting so many bills now, given that they won’t likely go anywhere.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:47 am
Always looked at RTW as more of a smokescreen than anything else.

No way that gets through the ILGA with this composition. He has better odds through the legal system than this GA.

But it does keep the public and media focused on something else other than the ==real== work taking place behind the scenes in secret working groups, etc. Plus, now Rauner can look like he is compromising on a ==major== issue.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:49 am
Who is it that “consistently cites” the Workmen’s Comp system as “one of the primary reasons” that companies move out of state, etc.?

Comment by JackD Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:49 am
=== Seems odd to me that Team Rauner is presenting so many bills now, given that they won’t likely go anywhere. ===

Not really. “They wanted to see specifics, we gave them specifics, and they never voted on them.” It’s textbook political CYAism.

Comment by thunderspirit Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:50 am
Madigan 1
Rauner 0

Comment by Liberty Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:50 am
Do we know any of the bill numbers?

Comment by historic66 Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:50 am
===though I feel really bad for staff that they’re all sprung on them right before what coulda/woulda/shoulda been a 3 day weekend.===

Ars, this is one 3 day weekend that they have rarely, if ever, enjoyed. It’s always been a working holiday down there.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:54 am
==Perhaps they didn’t want the time for their ideas to be torn apart.== My initial guess as well.

==and they wanted to ensure maximum opportunity to blame Democrats or career politicians.== Though now I believe it may be this. Part of a longer game, where you may not get it passed in year 1 but all that matters is if you can get it passed by year 3 or 4.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:54 am
===Does anyone have better explanations for the delay tactic?===

Smart or not Walk, this has always been a game of “you show me yours, I’ll show you mine” played by both sides and the GOP is a regular loser of the game.
If the Governor is looking for pressure points or leverage areas on priorities, he might have a bit of a better glimpse than his predecessors. But the curtain has still be largely closed. We’ll have to watch where it goes from here to see for sure. There are no fools at the big people’s table. Frustrating for sure, but fascinating none the less.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 22, 15 @ 10:58 am
==this is one 3 day weekend that they have rarely, if ever, enjoyed==

A few years ago they had the redistricting plan to deal with on Memorial Day weekend. So a few regular bills like this is a walk in the park. /s

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:00 am
Amend the term limits bill to include the millionaires tax and put it up for a vote.

Amend the redistricting proposal to eliminate the 8/5 restriction on corporate income taxes and put it up for a vote.

Comment by Juvenal Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:19 am
I wonder if Madigan would allow a vote on either of Rauner’s proposed amendments — term limits or map reform — if the GOP agreed to put a few votes on the millionaire’s tax? Of course that would require the GOP to compromise as well.

Comment by nona Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:21 am
How does waiting until there is just 10 days left to introduce major pieces of legislation constitute shaking up Springfield? Seems more like business as usual…

Comment by WAK Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:29 am
You know combining the redistrict amendment with the millionaire tax is a pretty good idea. Problem is I suspect the redistrict is a bigger poison pill to Madigan than the millionaire tax is to Rauner.

Comment by Mason born Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:30 am
==Ars, this is one 3 day weekend that they have rarely, if ever, enjoyed.==

Yeah, that’s kinda exactly why I put “woulda/coulda/shoulda” in there. Not indicating that it started this year.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:36 am
I expressed earlier missives about these bills and noted that the Governor did not want Senator Duffy or McCarter to introduce the Senate bills. Who is the sponsor? Leader Radogno. I think this makes some sense as to why there was such a delay. My guess is that this is a result of several caucus meetings and litmus tests. Leader Radogno being the sponsor on all of these bills means that most (and hopefully all) of her caucus will be behind it, and some of the Senate Dems would be more likely to negotiate with or at least listen to Leader Radogno. Can you imagine what would happen if Senator Duffy - who literally does nothing - dropped massive legislation and then tried to even get it out of a committee?! Yeah.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:36 am
Walker, maybe they thought they had leverage with the budget to move some of this stuff.

If so, I think it was a severe miscalculation.

When you get down to it, who needs a budget more than the chief executive? If the budget is a disaster, he’s the one that has to deal with it every day all year, not legislators.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:42 am
==You know combining the redistrict amendment with the millionaire tax is a pretty good idea. Problem is I suspect the redistrict is a bigger poison pill to Madigan than the millionaire tax is to Rauner.==

FYI - Constitutional amendments don’t involve the Governor, just the House and the Senate, and then to the voters for an up or down vote (in the 2016 election cycle).

Comment by Agricola Friday, May 22, 15 @ 11:46 am
@Word: you’re probably right.

A bad budget is not much of a lever for a governor.

Comment by walker Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Agricola

I am aware of that. However I am begining to buy into the Oswego Willy contention that the IL Republican party is Rauners newest aquisition. Therefore this apears to come down to the will of 3 men.

With Rauners wishes being represented by the R’s in general assembly.

Comment by Mason born Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:11 pm
I think the R’s need to look beyond 2016.

Comment by CharlieKratos Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:14 pm
The Governor’s office has filed all of the bills

Comment by L.A. Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:34 pm