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No money, no water

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Illinois

The water has been shut off at the State Highway Department in Vienna due to budget issues.

The city of Vienna turned the water off in mid-September because they couldn’t pay the bills.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:10 pm

Comments

Turned the water off?

“Let them eat cake”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:11 pm
2 weeks to make the news.

Hmmm.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:13 pm
When does the water get shut off in the Governor’s Mansion?

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Anon221, it’s a good question to ask the Spfld mayor.

Hmm.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Drip, drip, drip. Literally.

Comment by Anonymousse Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Hey OW, I think they’d be satisfied with champagne and no cake.

Comment by Missing G Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Good little lessonn on local control for TeamBungle

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:16 pm
LOL. I’m sorry for the state workers who have been victimized by Rauner’s impasse, but finally a service provider sticks up for its right to get paid.

Maybe other municipal utilities will get the hint.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:17 pm
OK That’s It! No bathroom until you acquiesce to the turnaround agenda!

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:17 pm
- Missing G -

Well, you got me there…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Can that workplace remain open? Every office I have ever worked in has had a water fountain or bottled water. Is that some sort of requirement for a workplace? What about bathrooms, they don’t work without water either. I assume there is a requirement that a workplace have working restrooms.

Comment by Guzzlepot Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:18 pm
“Hi Rich,

The Governor’s office sympathizes with state workers suffering from a lack of water and bathroom facilities due to the Democrats’ refusal to adopt needed reforms.

Brochure on how to build an outhouse and divine water for a well will be sent to affected personnel in Vienna.

Thanks!
ck”

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:20 pm
just have em run a hose from Lincoln county

Comment by morgan Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Time to dig a well! Welcome back to the 1800’s. The Ohio River can’t be far from there. Just take your horse down and get some fresh water.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Maybe BR will send in the National Guard with cases of water?

Comment by Stones Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Maybe someone should call the Dept of Labor. Sounds like a workplace hazard. Can’t use the restroom, and if you do, can’t wash hands.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:22 pm
I believe that if all vendors start this type of action, the budget talks will move forward. Can’t pay the gasoline bill for the State Fleet, electricity for the State buildings, computer software licenses for running the State’s business, rent for the State leases, can’t afford office supplies, etc.? Shut them off!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Just wait til Rauner slashes Vienna’s LGDF share.
No water for anyone.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Hilarious.

When the heat gets shut off, maybe IDOT can apply for some LIHEAP money?

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:23 pm
I assume the correctional centers nearby are covered under some court order, correct?

Comment by Former Student Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:24 pm
== Maybe someone should call the Dept of Labor. ==

Sorry, that department was closed due to budget cuts.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:24 pm
@ Juvenal,

Sorry, no LIHEAP, but they are free to take some complimentary motorcycle training classes.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:25 pm
Disgusting. The water stayed on until Bruce Rauner became governor!

Comment by Snucka Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:27 pm
What if they cut off the utilities to the prisons???? EEEK.

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:28 pm
Are the landlords of the local legislative offices being paid? They were probably already months late before this fiscal?

Waters topping the dike.

Comment by walker Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Interesting that this happened in Brandon Phelps district and Gary Forby area.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Madigan and the spigots he controls

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:31 pm
No worries. The governor can turn water into wine,

He’s in a club.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Class warfare casualties continue to pile up for the losing side. One of my customers cried as we talked on phone today- when her program (which provides a service which drives economic development) runs out of money in November, can’t make house payments.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Perhaps Lance Trover can explain to the residents of his hometown who is to blame. We all know the speil right.

Comment by Clodhopper Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Because she will not have her job anymore.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Rauner: “A few rain barrels beneath your gutter spouts should get y’all through until winter. After that, melt snow!”

PS: “Remember, this is Madigan’s fault.”

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:37 pm
IDOC is typically late paying the utilities to the municipalities supplying water and sewer. A fair question fir the gov is what the backup plan is when a correctional facility is turned off. A couple thousand inmates no water to bathe with no bathrooms and only bottled water sounds like cruel and unusual to me.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:38 pm
But aren’t you guys just stoked about that ConAgra HQ in Chicago?

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:40 pm
= When does the water get shut off in the Governor’s Mansion? =

Anytime it’s not raining. /s

Comment by cover Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:40 pm
No water means no brine mix to spray on the roads. Now we get into safety issues…

Comment by Nieva Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:41 pm
Rauner clearly is at war with Illinois working class. Tort reform in Work Compensation, limiting awards for individuals injured while at work….

The man is an embarrassment to humanity.

Comment by let them eat cake Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:42 pm
How about Chicago turn off the water to the Thompson Center? That might get someone’s attention!

Comment by One of the 35 Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:42 pm
Good why does Illinois have a government facility in Austria? Glad to see Rauner is getting rid of government waste.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:46 pm
The state hasn’t been flush with cash for many years now but this the bottom of the well. I imagine the Governor will blame it all on Mike Madigan “and the water he controls” and surely his supporters will drink it up, bathing him in praise but the truth is they’re all wet. We need to wash our hands of this budget nightmare and we need to do it now.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:46 pm
===why does Illinois have a government facility in Austria?===

LOL

Hope you’re joking.

It’s pronounced vye-Anna, btw.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:49 pm
Most municipal codes prohibit public buildings (i.e., offices) from being open if they don’t have working water and/or restrooms. So, most likely, that office is now closed. I wonder if people will still be paid if that’s the case or if it’s a sort of constructive discharge situation?

Comment by Katiedid Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:50 pm
I guess Rauner can roll out this old chestnut when asked about the water shutoff:

“There is only so much that the administration can control”

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:51 pm
I’ve heard several regional IDOT facilities have had their power shut off.

Can’t wait until that first winter storm. Should be a real cluster….

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Hey, it looks like Rauner REALLY IS running this state like a business:

http://fortune.com/2015/04/20/walmart-store-closings-plumbing/

If Wal-Mart can close stores and lay off workers due to a ‘plumbing issue’ why not Illinois?

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Rich I was kidding/trolling.

I did imagine a Rauner backer north of I-80 thinking that though.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:54 pm
anyone remember when Edgar was governor. No one left and it got settled IN JULY.
hey, guys. let’s get it done. and maybe every vendor needs to stop services. The governor seems to want to starve everyone out, except his staff. So, lets speed up the starvation in hopes we are all done soon.

Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:55 pm
@Frustrated GOP,

It appears they will die of thirst before they starve.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:59 pm
They were left high and dry.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:00 pm
Rauner: “Stay thirsty, my friends.”

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:01 pm
R: keep the flippin water flowing, or we will never buy water from you again.

Vendors to the state, whether private or governmental, could seriously embarrass the gov if more stories like this go national and viral. Its one thing for the gov to say how bad things are in this state. Ridicule by others stings much more.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:04 pm
===- Wensicia - Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:01 pm

Rauner: “Stay thirsty, my friends.”===

You win.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:07 pm
===- Wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 4:32 pm

No worries. The governor can turn water into wine,

He’s in a club.===

Here’s “1A”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:09 pm
I’m sure some here know how much begging and pleading is being done by the state. I’d imagine thousands of emails like this have been sent: “I’m sorry about the outstanding invoices you brought to my attention, but I’m sure you’ve heard about the budget impasse in Illinois. This agency has been a customer of yours for a number of years, and we’d appreciate any extension you can grant to us. The services you provide are invaluable to our agency. We all hope for a budget resolution soon, but are unable to provide an estimate of when that will occur.”

Comment by AC Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:12 pm
== R: keep the flippin water flowing, or we will never buy water from you again. ==

Kind of hard to enforce when most water supply companies hold a monopoly. And when it’s a municipal supply controlled by the opposite party … priceless!

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:13 pm
Welcome to the Rauner State of Illinois - when will this happen next?
Thank you BVR.

Comment by illini Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:13 pm
Wonder how much is owed to CLWP? Shut all water and electricity to all State buildings in Springfield might, just might, have some effect.

Comment by Rufus Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:14 pm
Word: With the Gov. it’s more like water into whine.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:15 pm
Bruce Rauner, “shaking up Springfield” one tap at a time.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:16 pm
Call OSHA. This is a health and safety issue.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:21 pm
Bruce Rauner sings:

The roof
The roof
The roof is on fire
We don’t need no water
Let the # burn
Burn # burn

Comment by AC Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:21 pm
The Burnt It Down Agenda …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:22 pm
Until Bruce’s Turnitoff Agenda is fully implemented, there will be no budget agreement.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:25 pm
“Turnitoff Agenda” NICE!!!

Maybe the university Presidents should quit paying the utility bills at the universities. Lets do a some disconnection countdowns in public. It might speed up this slow motion wreck.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:55 pm
And to think it’s all because of his psychotic hatred for unions.

Comment by Dale Cooper Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 5:56 pm
I believe it is an OSHA violation to not have working restrooms and access to drinking water. They can bring in porta-johns and bottled water though.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:09 pm
You dunk wafers in milk or coffee, not water. Doesn’t sound like ConAgra is moving to Vienna….

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:10 pm
== They can bring in porta-johns and bottled water though. ==

And who is going to extend the credit for that since the State isn’t paying its’ bills?

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:11 pm
RNUG - you are right - but who will pay the bill?

Comment by illini Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:17 pm
“choke ‘em til they’re happy to get any air at all”. The Rauner Doctrine

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:24 pm
A lot of municipalities may be realizing they have a few cards they can pay.

I wonder can you foia how much the state is in arrears to cwlp?

I have never seen a water system without a shutoff for non payment ordinance.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 6:47 pm
Build an outhouse.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:01 pm
Sure, the city of Springfield is going to shut off power and water to all state offices. Not. Gonna. Happen.

Comment by Casual observer Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:06 pm
That would need to be an ADA compliant outhouse that complies with all NPDES and meets all setback requirements from potable water systems. As well as complying with idph regs and Vienna building codes. All that with no money to pay for materials or labor.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:07 pm
Casual observer

It won’t happen but perhaps it should. If the state is really going to pay tomorrow for a hamburger today the utilities should adjust the rates accordingly.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:10 pm
Mason, I agree.

Rauner: “go ahead Springfield. I’ll just move all offices to Chicago. My buddy Rahm won’t cut us off. Wait, what?”

Langfelder needs to insist on more state be moved back in exchange for keeping the lights on.

Comment by Casual observer Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:21 pm
Should be state jobs.

Comment by Casual observer Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:25 pm
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:32 pm
Water is so overrated!!!!!

Comment by Howard Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:33 pm
A lot of people are feeding Rauner’s ego about being a hard liner willing to win at all costs, that’s what he wants to hear.

Unfortunately, that’s not what this is. It’s incompetence, ignorance, and a basic inability to manage a complex organization.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:38 pm
Not to make light of the issue, but if this is the same Vienna highway maintenance site that was around in the 80’s the only running water there was for a “slop sink” and garden hose.

The bathroom was either the great outdoors or the c-store down the hard road a mile or two.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 7:47 pm
Federal OSHA doesn’t cover state or local govt. workers, but they are covered by IDOL which uses the OSHA book. There are very few IDOL inspectors, and I have heard the state doesn’t fine itself. Maybe the state fire marshal or local fire inspectors could check the sprinklers and shut the buildings down. Someone should call the health departments about the non-working toilets an sinks, not as an OSHA but as a plumbing code violation.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 8:07 pm
==And to think it’s all because of his psychotic hatred for unions==

The psychotics will be offended being compared to Rauner

Comment by HangingOn Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 8:11 pm
Don’t the Teamsters represent the IDOT employees? What kind of contract did they negotiate with the Governor. No wonder that AFSCME and the other unions don’t want the Temo deal. Turns out it literally stinks

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 8:13 pm
It is only going to get worse or there will be defections from the Rauner side.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 8:20 pm
Back in tne day, Big Jim would stand and take any question, every question, from any reporter or citizen, anywhere and everywhere in the state, until there were no more questions left.

Ten months into it, perhaps Gov,Rauner could emerge from the Blago Bunker and give us all a big brainiac explanation as to what the hell he thinks he’s doing?

He’s no longer a rich kid dilletante. He got sworn in as governo f,

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 8:30 pm
Rauner doesn’t care. He doesn’t read the news, he doesn’t care.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 10:08 pm
Those low-life union workers don’t deserve water. /s

Comment by Mama Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 10:08 pm
“Ten months into it, perhaps Gov,Rauner could emerge from the Blago Bunker and give us all a big brainiac explanation as to what the hell he thinks he’s doing?”
Rauner is trying to crack Madigan’s armor.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 10:15 pm
Daniel, after every post you should end with “I’m finished!”

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Oct 1, 15 @ 10:41 pm
This post owns some world class snark. Well done, ladies and gentlemen. Well done, indeed.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 7:01 am
“But never forget that what it’s really about is top-down class warfare. That may sound simplistic, but it’s the way the world works.” - Paul Krugman

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 7:20 am
A brilliant move. You withhold my MFT, I withhold your water. Too bad all municipalities aren’t doing this.

Comment by pool boy Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:15 am
Meanwhile, if there truly is no water, the employees ahould be allowed to work from their homes, the public library, whatever external site is convenient for them. Many of their colleagues in the working world do so already.

Comment by Cassandra Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:21 am
Public Servant–your comment about class warfare is something many scoffed and laughed at as absurd not too long ago. Rauner is making it crystal clear that this is his crusade. Totally unsure how this could be characterized as anything else.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:22 am
The question that will be asked of Republicans running for reelection in this state is going to be “Where were you when the lights went out, Doris?” (and what did you do about it?)

Comment by Ottawa Otter Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:39 am
Rauner, you’re out of your league. You’ve surrounded yourself with sycophants whom, I’m sure, you’ve promised the moon once your administration is over.
You and your ilk always have to learn the hard way that you cannot buy everything.
You and your ilk always have to learn the hard way that government is not the private sector.
There is no winning for you, only degrees of losing.
Sadly, you and your ilk can’t accept that, until after the damage is done.

Comment by efudd Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:55 am
Vienna is not the only DOT shed to lose water, they are in the Carbondale district and another work shed in the Collinsville district has as well. They put porta johns in place and brought in water bottles to continue work.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:57 am
I’m too lazy to Google federal labor safety/sanitation laws.
When do the feds get involved?

Comment by efudd Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 8:58 am
Breaking News! IL disintegrates into first third world state in America! IL’s top elected dictator leads the as he keeps his billionare life style.

Comment by sal-says Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 9:02 am
And we used to joke about the last one out, turn out the lights.

Comment by sal-says Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 9:03 am
Tell me again why Rauner has a 40% approval rate?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 9:10 am
== They can bring in porta-johns and bottled water though. ==

At what will be greater eventual costs! Marvelous.

Comment by sal-says Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 9:19 am
== They can bring in porta-johns and bottled water though. ==
After they take up a collection for the $ from the employees to pay for it?

Comment by RD55 Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 9:59 am
No water how are they going to wash their hands and flush the toilets? Bruce Rauner would he have this happen at his home ?

Comment by No Sense Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 10:52 am