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Two-day hearing to focus on shutdown

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Illinois

* No word yet on whether any agency directors will appear…

House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement regarding the House’s two-day Committee of the Whole beginning Tuesday to hear from state agency directors on a looming government shutdown:

“We asked a number of agency directors to come before the House to give us answers to very specific questions about the impact of a shutdown. We’re looking forward to hearing from Governor Rauner’s agency directors on their plans if a government shutdown occurs, particularly their strategy for meeting the needs of those requiring services and how they plan to address continuity of care for individuals who will suffer as a result of services no longer being provided. This is important information for the people of Illinois to have if the state is moving toward a Rauner-imposed government shutdown, and these hearings will help shed needed light on how the Rauner administration plans to lead in that situation.”

Directors from 15 state agencies have been invited to testify before the full House on their plans should a budget agreement not be reached by July 1, including how their agencies plan to handle casework, phone calls and other requests for assistance from those in need. Invited agencies are:

Department on Aging
Department of Agriculture
Department of Central Management Services
Department of Children and Family Services
Department of Corrections
Department of Employment Security
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Department of Human Services
Department of Juvenile Justice
Department of Public Health
Department of Revenue
Department of Transportation
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
Illinois State Police

* Some House Republicans are also concerned and curious about what’s going to happen next…

Republican state Rep. Adam Brown of Champaign said he wants to enact a temporary budget to ensure that needed services continue to be funded during the impasse.

“At this point I think we should definitely start looking at that possibility because Speaker Madigan doesn’t seem prepared to talk about structural changes,” Brown said.

State Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, was among those who said he had few insights to share with his constituents about the effects of starting the fiscal year without a budget in place.

“I wish I had the real answer for them,” Sommer said. “I wish I knew more than all these other people do, but I don’t. But it’s really frustrating for the people we serve.”

I’ll let you know if the governor’s office responds.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:21 am

Comments

I would be surprised if any Directors showed up.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:26 am
I’m sure Rauner and GOP will start saying this is a sham but startingg a public conversation about what happens is probably a good idea.

Comment by TurnaroundWhat Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:26 am
@Demoralized: I hope you’re wrong. What message does it send if they aren’t willing to talk publicly about what they will do if there’s no budget?

Comment by TurnaroundWhat Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:27 am
==word yet on whether any agency directors will appear…==

The words “slim” and “none” come to mind

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:29 am
More finger pointing.

Fantastic.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:33 am
I saw Rauner’s TV ad again this morning so I feel we’re one step closer to a solution.

Comment by slow down Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:35 am
I’m tending to agree with Demo here.
Someone might show, but I don’t think it will be any of the directors listed here.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:35 am
Honest questions deserve honest answers.

Hopefully Rauner will choose to face these questions as a viable elected official.

This is the business he had chosen, and his directors are allegedly professionals.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:39 am
Another Dog and Pony show by the Democrats. None of the Directors should show. What a waste of time.

Comment by RLG Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:42 am
The pre-shutdown posturing continues. Each side hoping to hang this shutdown on the other. Right now I have it 5-2 MJM wins the battle.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:45 am
“At this point I think we should definitely start looking at that possibility because Speaker Madigan doesn’t seem prepared to talk about structural changes,” Republican State Rep Adam Brown said.

Ya think? That’s great Representative. Did you come to that astute conclusion all by yourself?

Comment by Michael Westen Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:46 am
If I recall, the governor publicly announced that his administration was working on contingencies for a shutdown.

Since he thought it was important to share that information with the public, it follows that an update would be in order. Why wouldn’t it be?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:47 am
The Directors need to put their flak jackets on and be stand up folks.
History shows they will get through it.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:49 am
It is OK because the only real issue is state employee pensions and 11.5% salary increases. All those community based organizations who do the vast majority of the direct services all have plenty of cash reserves to cover this little budget blip with no problem since the rates paid by the state have always been so generous. Not one of the community groups I am involved with has been contacted by any state employee to see what effect a budget delay will have. Not one. The existing No Budget service impact surveys have come from the providers themselves. The BS will be flying during the hearings.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:51 am
Send goldberg to lecture them

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:51 am
This is a common practice and I’ve seen it occur over the years when there was no budget in place. The real sham would be if the agency directors DON’T show up.

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:57 am
The admin cant detail negative effects because, while it might up the tension, it cements their ownership of the problem and lack of movement on the budget. Rauner is the only one who wants the anti union stuff.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:59 am
Not sure why Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was not invited. They are on track to shut down energy assistance July 1 even though the funding source is ratepayer money (and the money will continue to be collected after July 1). And energy assistance is a popular program especially with the Black Caucus.

Comment by MickJ Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:01 am
Governor should send Nuding with numbers and nothing else.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:06 am
Zatoichi, what state do you live in? Certainly not illinois. The newspapers are filled with stories of social service nonprofits laying people off and starting to close down services. But the dead givaway in your comments what that they have “plenty of cash reserves”. I burst out laughing! wow…just wow.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:19 am
The two-day hearing, for me?

They aren’t for “the Tee-Vee” or sound bites, although that will be a side result.

These hearings, they’re to remind the governor that these are YOUR agencies, YOUR choices for the shutdown, YOU, as the Executive, the Governor, are preparing.

Just a “friendly” reminder.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:24 am
If BVR is at all concerned about his relationship with legislators in a Democracy, he should man up and send his directors.
If BVR is not concerned about his relationship with legislators in a Democracy, he will stiff Madigan.
Real people and real lives are impacted by Rauner’s cuts.
To thumb your nose at people who represent those real lives would be reprehensible.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:26 am
If the frat boys has learned anything, it’s that sending their fellow frat - Goldberg doesn’t play too well. Using the person who was the focus of the hearing and a real statehouse expert turned out much better.

While the Dems want to make political hay on the subject, a shut down is of real interest to the people of the state. Sending a token sacrificial lamb to testify and not allowing directors/assistants to testify will cede the entire program to victims of a shutdown. Do they want this to be the only narrative in the news coverage?

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:32 am
“Speaker Madigan doesn’t seem prepared to talk about structural changes,” Republican State Rep Adam Brown said.”
maybe the rep has been snoozin’ but the house has passed compromise work comp reforms, the overhaul of DCEO and takin’ a lot of votes on the real tax freeze.

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:37 am
==the house has passed==

Any votes on a balanced budget yet?

Not that the gov has introduced a balanced budget of his own yet, either.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:51 am
Um, shouldn’t they be focused on passing a balanced budget instead of what will happen if there is no budget at all?

Comment by Not it Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:57 am
Honeybear: Change the batteries in your snark detector.

Comment by SAP Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:57 am
Zatoichi: I thought for sure you were being ironic. I missed the snark label at the end.

None of your statements are even close to reality, except the one about the pension debt being the biggest problem.

Comment by walker Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:16 am
I am an administrator for a good-sized DHS provider. As of FY16, we no longer have a contract to provide psychiatric treatment to our mentally ill clients. We no longer have funding to provide mental health counseling to those without Medicaid.

So what do we do? Keep providing psych services and mental health counseling, hoping that the final FY16 budget yields a contract and knowing that, if it doesn’t, we will never get paid for doing these services?

Or do we stop treating these clients? Anyone want to speculate what happens when seriously mentally ill individuals cannot see a psychiatrist or therapist?

No answers from DHS because the governor’s office has the agencies afraid of their own shadows.

Way to go, Governor. You’re not playing hardball with the Speaker and President. You’re playing hardball with mentally ill people.

Comment by A Provider Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:29 am
But wait-A Provider. Don’t any of your non-Medicaid patients have health insurance? In fact, how many don’t have health insurance. Isn’t psychiatric care an essential service? And if they don’t have health insurance, why not? It’s the law. Maybe you should help them sign up.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:44 am
Cassandra:

Don’t be so dense.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:47 am
== Um, shouldn’t they be focused on passing a balanced budget instead of what will happen if there is no budget at all? ==

-Not it- , Remember, Rauner’s own budget (which was not passed) is just as much out of balance. The legislature passed A budget (which is all they need to do) and left it to Rauner to either (a) cut it to match available revenue or (b) get on board with raising the revenue.

Rauner doesn’t want to do either one unless / until his union busting proposals are included. He is trying to leverage this to get his unpopular ideas passed; not going to happen, already been voted down.

As -OW- says, it’s Rauner’s choice to shut things down … and regardless of how much he’s trying to deflect the responsibility, Rauner is going to own it.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:50 am
==State Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, was among those who said he had few insights to share with his constituents about the effects of starting the fiscal year without a budget in place.==

Why ask a back-bencher? Let’s face it, Rep. Sommer does not have much insight on anything in Springfield, ever. This would be his his response to most questions throughout the year. It would be more helpful to ask someone who is in leadership or takes a more proactive role in the GA.

The Pantagraph should have asked Rep. Dan Brady or Sen. Barickman. They did talk to freshman Rep. Reggie Phillips and he had more insight than Rep. Sommer, which is pretty sad considering Sommer has been in the House for 16 years.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:51 am
@Cassandra-at our community mental health center about 40% have Medicaid, 15% private insurance and the rest are self pay. These folks are mentally ill, unable to hold jobs and many are homeless or have unstable housing arrangements. They cannot afford to purchase insurance through the state exchange and if they are eligible for Medicaid we help them apply but it takes many months for them to be approved.

Comment by Irish1 Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:58 am
@provider:

Thank you for your post and your work!

The people that you are speaking of, without community services, wind up in our jails and/or prisons.

Oh, and those workers are Union workers too.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:59 am
RNUG — I wasn’t suggesting that the General Assembly was fully to blame for the current situation, but I still think it would be more productive for the General Assembly to find solutions to our current problem, then to focus instead on blame for the current problem.

Comment by Just Me Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Or is it a struggle between the unions and the service providers over the remaining state cash that didn’t go to the schools. How much to each and how much of that has to come from Illinois’
economically stressed middle class. Both groups would like to tax us to the hilt, it seems. And who wears the jacket for the tax increase-Rauner or the Dems. Both parties want to leave the rich alone as much as possible. After all, the Dems had over a decade (including a major recession thanks to the financial industry) to fix the tax system. They barely tried.

All we can hope for now is that the income tax doesn’t go all the way up to 5 percent and that it’s another temporary tax. Because few of us see economic improvement on our middle class horizons. Economically, we’re still living decades ago.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:08 pm
@ Cassandra:
“All we can hope for now is that the income tax doesn’t go all the way up to 5 percent and that it’s another temporary tax. Because few of us see economic improvement on our middle class horizons. Economically, we’re still living decades ago.”

But with Bruce Rauner calling for RTW, that should change! Soon our middle class workers will be living as though it’s centuries ago!

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:19 pm
All Agency Directors should issue a joint press release indicating they have been directed by the Governor to follow the constitution. When the general assembly sends the Governor a balanced budget, as required by the constitution, they will fulfill their duties. Otherwise, why would anyone every go to Madigan’s charade of hearings.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:27 pm
=== Um, shouldn’t they be focused on passing a balanced budget instead of what will happen if there is no budget at all? ===

Um, your Gov. could have balanced the budget that was passed through the use of item and reduction vetoes. Why didn’t he? Because:

- He knows that you can’t cut that much without huge political problems he doesn’t want to carry himself.

- He knows revenue is needed because of above, but he want’s political cover. That cover is in the form of something from his so-called Turnaround agenda.

- In addition to cover for his revenue support, he would like to have something for his accomplishments brochures. A balanced budget means there’s no pressure to give him a bone.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@Apocalypse Now http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con8.htm

Read Section 2(a). The GA aren’t the only ones “shirking” their duties.

Comment by Greyhound Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:44 pm
- Norseman -,

Ball game.

Rauner’s three huge “issues” when it comes to… The Rauner Cuts.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:44 pm
The Governor, as the state’s chief executive, should show up himself to say exactly what will happen in this state if the GA doesn’t step up and do its job…pass a balanced budget. Grab the bully pulpit and use it if you believe what you’re doing is right.

Comment by N'ville Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:53 pm
@cassandra:

The biggest provider of mental health services in the State of Illinois are jails and prisons.

Those workers are Union workers.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:57 pm
==Or is it a struggle between the unions and the service providers over the remaining state cash that didn’t go to the schools. How much to each and how much of that has to come from Illinois’economically stressed middle class==

Surely you aren’t implying that the union is draining social service budgets….

Comment by Politix Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Cassandra- it’s hard to provide services without a contract- the contract provides the funding for agency infrastructure and staff and the ability to do so. The fee for service in MH for Medicaid is for the actual services rendered- it hardly covers everything and is not meant to- nor is that payment timely. Non-medicaid services are provided by grant only(was first to get zeroed out in the budget anyway)- and part of which is to focus on getting those individuals funded with Medicaid so they can move to other Mental Health programs for long term services.

Many providers received letters from DHS last week indicating that if they did not receive additional correspondence which would indicate they could continue operating past July 1, they were to cease providing services effective 6/30. However, even if you are allowed to continue providing services, there is no guarantee that you as a provider will be paid for those services rendered. Small providers will have significant difficulty making payroll this month.

I do know that DCFS was given the green light last week to send out contracts to all providers so that they could be signed and returned should there be a resolution to the budget soon. That I found interesting.

Comment by carbaby Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:03 pm
===The Governor, as the state’s chief executive, should show up himself to say exactly what will happen in this state if the GA doesn’t step up and do its job…pass a balanced budget.===

Ugh.

So the governor will show up to be questioned why his own budget is Billions out of whack?

Bully pulpits only work when you can bully a truth. Illinois’ constitution states, clearly, the governor is responsible for a budget.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:04 pm
====The Governor, as the state’s chief executive, should show up himself to say exactly what will happen in this state if the he and the GA don’t step up and do their jobs.===

Fixed.

Comment by Politix Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Irish1’s figures on patients in the self-pay category suggest that many if not most of these are Medicaid-eligible. If it’s taking months to get them on Medicaid, perhaps Rauner should deputize over one of his experts from Healthcare and Family Services or DHS or even somebody from his own office, to fix that problem. Time to start following through on those promises for more efficiency in a Rauner admin.

Plus, there is a lot of research showing that not mental health but other health outcomes improve greatly when the patient has insurance. And it’s the law.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:24 pm
No DNR huh? Would be interested to know what parks throughout the state will look like on Saturday July 4th, just four days after the committee of the whole and three days after the budget runs out. Pretty busy weekend for tourism in Illinois….will campers show up to find yellow tape and no entrance signs?

Comment by hot chocolate Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:47 pm
==Um, your Gov. could have balanced the budget that was passed through the use of item and reduction vetoes. Why didn’t he?==

Most likely because it is not his duty to do so. That duty is assigned to the General Assembly according to Article VIII of the Constitution. The Gov is required to introduce a budget and the GA is required to make sure the budget they pass is balanced. The General Assembly failed to do their job as required by the Constitution.

==(b) The General Assembly by law shall make appropriations for all expenditures of public funds by the State. Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year.==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Seems to me there is an Obligation to go when the General Assembly calls.

Comment by True Cynic Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 2:05 pm
@Cassandra
Yes, it’s the law that people have medical insurance. Some of the mentally ill are not capable of completing the paperwork, following up with a phone interview and getting the proper documentation required. I am a case manager at a local health department that provides mental health services. I help people apply for Medicaid. Once the application is complete and submitted, DHS follows up with a phone interview. A lot of my clients run out of minutes on their phones or simply do not recognize the number and do not answer. If the phone interview is completed, the client needs to provide documentation to prove the information that was already submitted; identification, social security card, proof of income, etc. Most of my clients do not keep good records and cannot put their hands on their award letters from Social Security. The client is then denied for not providing the information. When we hear they are denied, we apply again…and the dance continues. Take into consideration that some are homeless or couch surfing….they may never get mail. If they are not on their prescribed meds because they do not have insurance to pay for the meds, the problems are tenfold.

Comment by Bee Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 2:10 pm
*** ==Um, your Gov. could have balanced the budget that was passed through the use of item and reduction vetoes. Why didn’t he?==

Most likely because it is not his duty to do so. That duty is assigned to the General Assembly according to Article VIII of the Constitution. The Gov is required to introduce a budget and the GA is required to make sure the budget they pass is balanced. The General Assembly failed to do their job as required by the Constitution. ***

Wow, is that so lame. I can say the same thing about Rauner. He didn’t propose a balanced budget so he didn’t do his duty under the constitution. Where does that get us. Nowhere.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 2:24 pm
State shut down: Who is right Madigan or Rauner? Madigan seems to think there will be a shut down, but Rauner says no shut-down plus employees will get paid whether there is a budget or not. Is it legal to cut payments without an approved budget?

Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 3:04 pm
If a judge gives the comptroller the authority to do so. Look at what happened in 2009.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 3:08 pm
==State shut down: Who is right Madigan or Rauner?==

There is not going to be a shut down right now. People need to show up for work on July 1. The GA isn’t in charge in this particular situation, the Governor is. If he says there isn’t going to be a shut down there won’t be a shut down.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Why not a two day Committee of the whole questioning Madigan, Cullerton and Rauner on their strategies for solving the budget and avoiding a shutdown. I would add the Repub legislative leadership but they appear irrelevant.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 3:42 pm
==Wow, is that so lame. I can say the same thing about Rauner.==

Rauner may claim that his budget is balanced, at least on paper, though we know it was not really balanced.

This is all lame, and we have two super egos in Rauner and Madigan to thank.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 3:54 pm
Bee-

I applaud your efforts, but clearly you and your agency are working with a severely dysfunctional state system which badly needs updating. Sounds like the DHS agency is actively trying to prevent disabled and homeless individuals from getting Medicaid by making the requirements unduly difficult to comply with. A civil rights violation,surely. As to the lack of phone minutes, couldn’t DHS send over a worker, or do the interview via videophone at your agency or another. It’s the 21st century. The Rauner admin promised to do better. Time for change. Time for an investigation by one of those BGA-like groups too, it seems. With the ACA law, we were promised better.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 4:08 pm
Cassandra: Obamacare is largely a tax law, not an insurance law. It is not against the law to be uninsured. The Affordable Care Act requires (most) uninsured individuals to pay a tax.

Comment by SAP Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 5:00 pm
Why the broo-haha over a “balanced budget?” Because the IL Constitution requires it? that has not mattered before. We have had many, many, many unbalanced budgets.

OK, maybe they were called balanced by legal maneuvering and trickery. But what’s the big deal this time? Are these guys just trying to see who has the biggest … feet?

Comment by Late to the Party Tuesday, Jun 30, 15 @ 7:11 am