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Looking hard to find a solution, and not looking hard

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Illinois

* Compare this…

“Chicago Med,” a medical drama and follow-up to “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” that already film at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios complex on the West Side, had been in some potential jeopardy. Gov. Bruce Rauner in early June announced the state would defer action on any film tax credits for new projects that were not already under way. A strict interpretation of that standard would have been quite harmful to the city’s burgeoning TV and film industry.

But instead of letting the Chicago scene fade to black, Team Rauner, in the Illinois tradition, found a loophole.

After what I’m told were some rather high-level phone calls, “Chicago Med” got the tax credit green light.

“It’s considered an episodic follow on ‘P.D.’ and ‘Fire,’ ” says a knowledgeable source. “This is considered a follow-on.”

* To this…

Advocates want Gov. Bruce Rauner to restore a $60 monthly allowance for adults with developmental disabilities, but his administration insists there’s no way to stop an automatic reduction to the allowance, especially given Illinois’ finances. […]

In the first increase in two decades, lawmakers temporarily raised the allowance last year to $60, up from $50 for people in group homes and from $30 for residents of intermediate care facilities. Now, it’s returning to the lower levels in place before the law, which granted the increase for fiscal year 2015 only. […]

Advocates cite administrative rules written by the state’s Medicaid agency that increased the allowance. Those rules took effect March 11 and included no expiration date. The Rauner administration’s interpretation of the rules is wrong, said Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities CEO Janet Stover.

“As we pushed and provided information to them about the intent of the original legislation, we were told that it ultimately was a budgetary decision and they would not rescind the policy,” Stover said.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:38 pm

Comments

That’s easy Rich.

Business on the one hand…

The members of the unwashed masses on the other.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:42 pm
And now we see (again) Rauner’s priorities.

Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:45 pm
It’s more fun to hobnob and have your picture taken with actors than developmentally disabled adults.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Taking away ten dollars from those who have so little must be a proud moment for the Rauner administration. Will he be cancelling Christmas next?

Comment by Aldyth Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Hey come on:
schools open - check!
state employees paid - check!
pension payments - check!
bond payments - check!

Have to leave someone to keep the pressure on!

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:50 pm
U turn of the Day!

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:01 pm
How much money does the GA pay raise total for all legislators combined? There is plenty of self-interest to go around, from the governor and cinespace to the GA and beyond.

Comment by SAD Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:07 pm
ijbiu oknoknoi mokmokmoimoim oknoknoi pomp mokmokmoimoim!

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:18 pm
There are no words. So it’s really come to shortchanging DD adults? I guess they don’t need the extra $10 to buy some clothes or other basic need.

Comment by carbaby Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Huh - the late, great JBT told the Senate Approp Committees that bondholders are always paid first.

Our state constitution requires that all pension benefits must be paid as originally promised and cannot be cut.

Our state constitution also requires that Illinois “provide for an efficient system of high quality public education.” That is direct quote, too:

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con10.htm

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:31 pm
How about that automatic 2% pay raise today?

Madigan has stayed mum on the issue of the pay raise when asked about it by reporters.

Nice work guys…. no budget but you get a raise for not completing your main job this year.

Comment by Allen D Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:49 pm
I know it was set up 6 years ago but….

Comment by Allen D Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:52 pm
Not that I like the answer, but this looks fairly clear to me:

(305 ILCS 5/5-33)
Sec. 5-33. Personal needs allowance; ID/DD facility.
During State fiscal year 2015 only and no later than January 1, 2015, the monthly personal needs allowance required under Section 1902(g) of Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396(g)) for any person residing in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act and who has been determined eligible for medical assistance under this Code shall be no less than $60.
This Section is repealed on January 1, 2016.

Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Anon 3:13 : You are right that the statutory requirement to set the allowance at $60 has expired. IDHS has the discretion to set it at $30 (the federal minimum) or above. So the allowance could be kept at $60 by rule. $30 is the allowance for all other nursing home residents; it was not raised for them (old people, younger people who are disabled, but not developmentally disabled) for even a year.

Comment by wendy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 3:50 pm
See you in church, boss.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:10 pm
The allowance CANNOT be kept at $60 by rule if the statute that the rule was intended to implement is no longer in effect.

Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:35 pm
===The allowance CANNOT be kept at $60 by rule if the statute===

The statute set a floor, not a ceiling.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Yep, once again, there is a lapse in compassion. And, compassion is what the Gov. promised. He is so far removed from what anyone who has a hardship must endure that he really doesn’t see a problem with taking from the vulnerable and giving (more) to businesses. We can expect to see more and more of this type of inhumane behavior from the Gov.- that’s who he is and how he operates.

Comment by Former Hoosier Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:54 pm
Seriously $10? Even if its 50,000 people in the whole big scheme of things, Rauner probably spent more than that on mailers this month…

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:31 pm
The legislature increased it to $60 last fall, effective for the rest of FY15 only, with the expectation that the administration would amend the Administrative Code to make it permanent. And on March 11, the administration did just that. See 39 Ill. Reg. 4376. The code now provides for $60 and Gov can’t legally reduce it without going through the process of amending it downward.

Comment by ed Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 7:15 pm