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* UPDATED x1 * Let’s play: “Brick Or No Brick”

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* This passed on a bipartisan roll call. So, no Rauner brick…

Post-traumatic stress disorder would be considered a debilitating illness that can be treated with medically prescribed marijuana under legislation headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The House approved state Rep. Lou Lang’s measure 68-36 on Saturday. The Skokie Democrat says marijuana can help people suffering from PTSD.

* A whole lot of union-friendly House Republicans took a walk and didn’t vote on this bill, so there’s most definitely a heavy Rauner brick…

The Illinois House approved legislation Friday prohibiting state workers from going on strike or being locked out of their jobs if negotiations on a new labor agreement stall.

The House voted 67-25 to approve the measure, which now goes to the Senate for approval.

Under the bill, either side in labor talks could declare an impasse, starting a process in which the contract would be sent to binding arbitration.

*** UPDATE *** The Senate is, at 2:30, poised to pass the AFSCME bill. Track it via our live coverage post.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Another brick…

The House approved a measure Friday creating two state agencies for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The bill passed by a 69-47 vote, with Republicans criticizing the Democratic-led bill as needlessly partisan. A previous version of the bill would have separated the two agencies but also rolled Historic Preservation into the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. It also would have privatized some of DCEO’s operations. […]

Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said he agreed with some parts of the proposal, but he ultimately voted against it.

“Once again, as we’ve seen over the last few weeks, the process is wrong,” he said. “The governor’s office needs to be involved in this operation.”

* No brick in either chamber…

A first-of-its-kind heroin bill is now in passage stage in the state Senate after being unanimously approved by the House this week.

But a local judge who heads Champaign County’s drug court thinks the legislation is misguided.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said the Heroin Crisis Act would be the most expansive heroin bill ever enacted and a potential model for the nation.

The bill passed the House unanimously and only a handful voted “No” in the Senate.

* No bricks…

The House has unanimously advanced legislation to require land surveyors to give notice to landowners before beginning construction of high-voltage transmission lines. […]

The House also has endorsed legislation without opposition that clarifies zoning laws for wind turbines.

The House sponsor of the legislation, state Rep. Thomas Bennett, R-Gibson City, said the measure will help regulate where turbines can be constructed.

* I don’t know if there was a brick on this one, but if Rauner did brick it, GOP Rep. Dave McSweeney either didn’t get the memo or ignored it because he was the only HGOP to vote for the legislation…

ollowing a rise in concern over data breaches and identity theft, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, worked with Attorney General Lisa Madigan to pass legislation Thursday offering consumers stronger protections against cyber criminals.

“Technology has benefited our society in many ways and has enabled us to do normal every-day tasks by the touch of a button,” Kifowit said. “In these changing times, it is important to update our laws so we can better prevent identity theft and safeguard private medical information.”

When data breaches occur, companies are required to notify customers that their financial information might be at risk. Kifowit’s Senate Bill 1833 extends these protections to include medical information and online accounts. Under her legislation, data collectors must notify the Illinois Attorney General’s office if a security breach occurs involving a consumer’s personal information. The Attorney General’s office will create a website to post information on the latest breaches to keep consumers up-to-date.

* There was a weighty brick on this one, but from what I’m told the Republicans actually pushed back against the governor and he lifted it…

The Illinois House approved legislation Friday that will alter the fee people pay for 911 emergency phone service.

Under a proposal crafted over the past year, the cost of 911 will be 87 cents per month. That figure will be the same for both mobile phones and landline phones.

The measure was sent to the Senate on a 94-15 vote. […]

Without legislative action, the law governing 911 service in Illinois will sunset on July 1.

posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:20 pm

Comments

How about SB 1833?

Comment by Apple MicYahoo Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:24 pm
Keep em busy scrubbing decks, while we search for the whale in the fog.

Comment by walker Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:25 pm
My bet is brick on SB 1833…but not sure…

Comment by Apple MicYahoo Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:27 pm
== the Republicans actually pushed back against the governor and he lifted it… ==

Wow?

Comment by sal-says Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:29 pm
SB 1833 needs to pass.

Comment by Mama Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Well…remember what Marv said in “Home Alone 2″?!

“EAT BRICK, KID!”

That was the only brick reference from a movie that popped into my head.

Comment by Team Sleep Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:42 pm
Dang it, Rich, now I have Jethro Tull stuck in my head.

Comment by cover Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:42 pm
What was Rauner’s original position and intentions on the 911 bill? Anyone?

Comment by cdog Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:43 pm
===Rauner’s original position===

Chaos.

Comment by Rich Miller Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:47 pm
I lot of great laugh lines during the no-strike bill debate.

There’s the funny about the Gov negotiating in good faith. That’s a hoot.

Then it was amusing that a GOP senator implied that the Gov lied during the campaign when he talked about shutting down the state.

And, we know that the Dems were carrying the water for labor on this one.

The hair on fire was the weirdest laugh line in awhile.

Comment by Norseman Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:51 pm
I just watched the debate on the union strike/lockout amendments in the Senate, and the bill passed. Sweet!

There is no question that Rauner came hard at AFSCME and other unions and is a credible threat when it comes to a strike or lockout. On the first day of negotiations, he kicked AFSCME in the groin with his fair share fee ending EO. Nice way to inspire trust and confidence in negotiations.

We all know the other anti-union stuff Rauner did, which was successfully resisted–at least to this point. That too does not inspire trust and confidence.

This bill I’m hoping will show Illinoisans that the unions want to help them avert the harm that can come with a strike or shutdown. This is a very good PR win, in my opinion.

Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:52 pm
The passing of the no strike / no lock out bill is a good thing for AFSCME, but it’s not clear it has enough votes to override a veto. My guess is Poe would support it unless the Governor makes drastic changes to his contract proposal. but I’m not sure who else, if anyone.

Comment by Pelonski Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 2:59 pm
== The passing of the no strike / no lock out bill is a good thing for AFSCME, but it’s not clear it has enough votes to override a veto. ==

Hard to tell about any override vote now; going to depend on how the playing field looks in 60 days.

Comment by RNUG Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Is it considered a “legislative agenda” if your accomplishment list is figuring out where you put bricks?

Yikes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Grandson- The strike bill is essentially useless. It wouldn’t take effect until a month after the AFSCME contract ends. It’s just like the symbolic right to work vote in the House. It’s essentially a public thank you note to unions for all the campaign cash. Not actual public policy.

Comment by Thunder Fred Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Thunder,

The bill would apply unless AFSCME signed a contract before it went into effect. There is not much chance of that happening unless the Governor softens his offer considerably.

Comment by Pelonski Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Has anybody else noticed that Rauner is getting everything he wanted out of Rep. Butler taking over for Rich Brauer? I actually laugh out loud every time I see the city of Springfield behind Butler’s name.

Comment by Sgt_Schultz Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Pelonski- That assumes that the strike/lockout lasts longer than a month. In that regard you are correct. I suppose it’s helpful for AFSCME members to know how much they need to have saved up in their strike fund.

Comment by Thunder Fred Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:17 pm
Fred - I made that point the other day. The bill passed the Senate on concurrence today, so even if it went to the Governor’s desk tomorrow then he could wait until July 29th to veto the legislation.

Comment by Team Sleep Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:20 pm
**It wouldn’t take effect until a month after the AFSCME contract ends. It’s just like the symbolic right to work vote in the House. It’s essentially a public thank you note to unions for all the campaign cash. Not actual public policy.**

Sigh..the bargaining will still be going on. This isn’t just symbolic, in any way.

If this becomes law, it is very likely the contract will not be settled by that point. Unions could then go to mediation, and then arbitration based on this law.

Comment by AlabamaShake Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:23 pm
The chance that there is a strike or lockout on July 1 is almost 0%. Negotiations likely will still be ongoing, there will be no incentive for AFSCME to strike, and if the Governor did a lock out, it would make it very likely that veto would be overturned.

Comment by Pelonski Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:23 pm
Yep

Comment by Thunder Fred Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:24 pm
== I suppose it’s helpful for AFSCME members to know how much they need to have saved up in their strike fund. ==

Given Rauner’s business record of playing fast and loose with the law and letting the lawyers sort it all out years later, there is no guarantee he will obey the strike / lockout bill if the GA overrides his expected veto.

If I was still working for the State, I’d want a minimum of 3 months of expenses saved up.

Comment by RNUG Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Am I correct in thinking that the governor has 60 days to sign or veto a law? So if this law is passed, then vetoed and overridden in 60 days, that would be the end of July before it goes into effect? So there could be a possible 30 day time frame in which a strike/lockout could take place. And the legislature could do nothing about it. Isn’t that correct?

Comment by Sgt_Schultz Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:28 pm
We’ve entered Bizarro World when public employee unions push to give up their right to strike and are opposed by an anti-union governor.

The fact that the governor does not wish to take a chance with arbitration speaks volumes about his “good-faith” bargaining.

I hope he’s playing chicken with this government shutdown. Whatever personal glory he’d derive from it on the national stage would be fleeting, and the possible unforeseen consequences are potentially severe.

Comment by Wordslinger Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:40 pm
== We’ve entered Bizarro World when public employee unions push to give up their right to strike and are opposed by an anti-union governor. ==

-word-, good point. Things are starting to get crazy.

Comment by RNUG Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:46 pm
=== Things are starting to get crazy. ===

It’s extremely rare where I disagree with my good friend RNUG, but I have to take exception to his use of the word, “starting.”

Comment by Norseman Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:51 pm
Okay - sorry, but I have to inject some humor here. If we are entering Bizzaro World, would Bizarro Bruce Rauner be a short, squatty man who wore loose fitting pants with no belt buckle?!

Comment by Team Sleep Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 3:59 pm
A veto of the arbitration Bill and then a lockout or strike, coupled with a government shutdown, will hurt Rauner with the middle class.

Comment by Daytona 500 Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 4:12 pm
Let me see if we have this right. The unions finally have an actual adversial relationship at the bargaining table, rather than lapdogs they’ve paid handsomely to get elected. Now they can’t justify to the public the obscene work rules they’ve gotten from a weak management team in the past. So they will opt to go to an arbitrator to hold onto something with this sham bill. Because otherwise labor puts it all on the line against an adversary they haven’t coopted, and they will be fully exposed in the court of public opinion with a strike. And this bill expires in four years because they smugly believe they will depose a responsible steward of public funds by then and install a new stooge to do Union bidding, Nah. Nothing wrong here.

Comment by Bored Chairman Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Ban on Illinois worker strike, union lockout sent to Rauner.
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article22701720.html

Comment by Enviro Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Sgt Schultz,

In theory there could be a strike or lockout on July 1st prior to this legislation going into effect, but it is hard to see how that would help the side that takes that action. AFSCME would just wait for the potential veto override if the Governor walked away from the table. The Governor would be taking a big risk by locking out employees since that basically prevents anyone covered by the bargaining units from coming to work, even if they want to do so. Coupled with the fact that employees would qualify for unemployment, he would effectively be funding a 100% strike with the state’s money.

Comment by Pelonski Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Bill to ban Illinois state worker strike, union lockout:

Bill Status of SB1229 99th General Assembly

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1229&GAID=13&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=88&GA=99

Comment by Enviro Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 4:29 pm
“Let me see if we have this right. The unions finally have an actual adversial relationship at the bargaining table”

One who hates them, represents the agenda of the super-rich and who wants to wipe them out and has invested much effort and money in doing so.

“rather than lapdogs they’ve paid handsomely to get elected”

Or rather than the Republican legislative lackeys who took Rauner’s money to vote “Present” on right to work, and who are marching in step to the tune of tens of millions of dollars wielded over their heads by a few super-wealthy people. Rauner said he can’t be bribed, but he sure is doin’ some bribin’.

I think it’s a very good move at this point, because if Rauner doesn’t budge from his radical contract proposals, he stands to look like the unreasonable one, if things come to a strike or shutdown. The unions can tell the taxpayers and recipients of state services that they are trying to have a reasonable solution and are willing to give something up to get it, as opposed to Rauner.

Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 5:13 pm
== We’ve entered Bizarro World when public employee unions push to give up their right to strike and are opposed by an anti-union governor. ==

Doubly so for a private industry hedge fund manager, especially when more and more corporations increasingly require them just to do business. In many cases, you can’t accept a job, make an investment, or subscribe to a service or buy a car without mandatory arbitration. Everyone on here has likely signed such an agreement, and many without even realizing it. It’s the last thing you might expect to see opposed by a champion of corporations like Rauner.

Comment by AC Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 6:02 pm
them in the first sentence refers to binding arbitration..

Comment by AC Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 6:03 pm
bill is heading to rauners desk

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 6:53 pm
I wonder if this bill is a signal that AFSCME won’t strike — regardless. How can they strike if the legislator has approved a bill authorizing them not to strike?

Rauner won’t sign it. He’ll let it sit. Meantime, he’ll either continue to negotiate or lock out everyone.

Fantastic business decision, BTW. Rauner certainly is sharp as a tack.

Comment by Macbeth Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 6:59 pm
Pelonski,
That makes sense to me. Thanks for the explanation!

Comment by Sgt_Schultz Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 7:10 pm
Am I the only one worried about the idea of the General Assembly, led by Rep. Lang, making medical determinations as to which conditions are ‘treatable’ with marijuana? Especially when it’s based on anecdotal, self-serving testimony? Didn’t the original law delegate this to experts at the Department of Public Health? This is as crazy as when they make medical determinations about which test/advice doctors should give to women seeking abortions. They are really playing well outside their wheelhouse.

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 8:22 pm
There’s a horse in Balmoral’s 4th race tonight named Quinnochio. The Treasurer should bet a couple billion on him.

Comment by Mittuns Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 8:58 pm
- Norseman -

LOL! Not a disagreement so much as a judgment call on the timing.

Comment by RNUG Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 10:26 pm
Sgt_Schultz, yes I have. However, there’s nothing I can do. Poe is my rep.

Comment by Norseman Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 11:36 pm
We live in interesting times.

All of us have lived through the Masters of the Universe wantonly robbing us blind, crashing your home equity and 401K while they took money off the table, got bailed out and refinanced, on your dime.

if you read the civil agreements the Justice Department arrived to with the banksters, the evidence of their crimes is overwhelming, yet when you get to the last paragraph they cop to nothing and agree to a cost-of-doing-business fine.

If you steal a Slurpee from 7-11, you’ll eat the prowler hood and get put in a cage.

Back iin the day, after Ronald Reagan won the presidency with $28 million in public financing, and his boy Rudy Giuliani perp-walked every big-swinging crook down Wall Street.

After W, broke the ceiling, the price of poker for running for president became $1 billion. Not even that commie Muslim Kenyan Obama dares to buck big money when you have to have that kind of cash to even be In the game.

Now, we have a governor, Griff, the Bubble Wrap King and their cronies, who made hundreds of millions corrupting the political and financial systems, producing nothing, telling the regular lunch-bucket schmucks that the problem ain’t that the game is rigged, but that they aint worth the money they make.

Seriously, would you parents and grandparent put up with that nonsense? Mine wouldn’t. And I wont.

Get your heads on straight and work to leave it better than you found it.

Comment by Wordslinger Saturday, May 30, 15 @ 11:47 pm