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Chamber all-in on impasse

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Illinois

* Could be a while…

Gov. Bruce Rauner has been a large proponent of businesses in the state, in the chamber’s opinion. [Illinois State Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch] said state chamber officials have regular talks with legislators, but said the governor’s direction is the way he feels the state should go.

Maisch said that he thinks small businesses and those affected by the budget impasse know that without change, growth will continue to stagnate.

“The status quo is completely unacceptable,” he said. “The governor has our full support. We talk to our members every day and they’re unwavering. They say ‘if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them and my business and my children may not be in Illinois to see the aftermath’.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 11:55 am

Comments

What changes? Union busting? At least take ownership of the polices being advocated instead of hiding behind “status quo” and “reforms” and “turnaround agenda”. If it’s worth the pain, it’s worth being specific.

Comment by AC Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 11:58 am
Once the college kids from UIUC, ISU, et al are sent home, I’m sure all those executives that have kids in state universities will be pleased they encouraged an impasse.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 11:59 am
Eh, Illinois needs a budgetary standoff until the feds re-write the federal tax code?

= = = [Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch] said he believes the tax code can be changed to allow for growth, such as allowing small businesses to immediately expense their capital expenditure.

“If you’re a bakery company and you need to buy a new delivery truck, the tax code says you don’t get to write off the entire expense of that new truck in the first year — which would lower your taxes,” Maisch explained. “You can only write off a certain percentage over about five to seven years. It would be a huge difference if you could go ahead and make that investment … and have the entire expense of the truck come off in the very first year.” = = =

Okay, if only MJM stopped blocking needed reforms to the IRS Code.

Comment by Bill White Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:00 pm
Successful business people support Rauner? Stop the presses!

Comment by Politix Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:01 pm
well if rauner is keeping the edge tax spigot flowing for big corps, what does the chamber care about how this impasse messes with the lives of mom and pops in this state.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:02 pm
I wonder if they’ll still want to stay the course when their business burns down because nobody could take the 911 call.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:02 pm
I wonder, just wondering now, how local Chamber memberships might change in the coming months. Another exodus in the making of members? I can’t believe all the members will continue this lockstep toward the cliff.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Step 1: Bust Unions
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Illinois Becomes Prosperous

Comment by ihpsdm Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:08 pm
When I think of the status quo in Springfield, people like Todd Maisch immediately come to mind.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:08 pm
“They say ‘if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them and my business and my children may not be in Illinois to see the aftermath’.”

Remember back when the Chamber at least pretended to believe that their policy proposals were for the benefit of interests beyond their own businesses and families? But now that one of their own is governor, there’s need for that façade.

The state? Its citizens? Their children?

Who cares?

Me, me, me. My, my, my.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Well when the homeless guy is camping out in front their stores and offices or the mentally ill person is trying to chat with their customers in the parking lot, and the local stores and places to eat are losing revenue due to layoffs in the public and non-profit sectors, I hope they remind themselves the Governor has their full support.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:09 pm
So Maisch has seen the business plan?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:09 pm
==The status quo is completely unacceptable == if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them==

He’s not wrong.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Repeat after me, “the governor refuses to discuss the budget and is therefore responsible for the current crisis.”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Surprising news from the CoC.

Comment by nadia Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:12 pm
And of course a lot of working people will have less money to spend at their businesses once you kill collective bargaining and prevailing wage.
There’s no shared pain being advocated by the Governor or the Chamber of Commerce, that’s for sure.

Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:14 pm
===They say ‘if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them===

And why is that? A governor blew up all the goodwill he had coming in. If he would have, you know, governed, he would be in a great position to change laws and policies in the coming years. But now that is not possible.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:14 pm
Why is responsibility for the budget impasse an either/or proposition, either the executive or legislative? Why is responsibility not really on both? Not simply as a matter of rhetoric, but in substance.

Let’s get real. Illinois is insolvent. The business-as-usual mentality that prevailed in the last administration was folly. Both the Legislative and Executive need to face up to a new paradigm.

Comment by Anon III Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:17 pm
It’s the age-old story. In most cases, businesses want the cheapest labor and least employee benefits they can get away with. Cheaper labor increases profits.

Workers, on the other hand, want to get appropriate pay, health insurance, and a pension. Their work makes a business succeed and they want to be compensated for it. In the past, that often required unionizing to get what they wanted.

Are all economically successful states anti-union? Do their workers struggle by on minimum wage so businesses can prosper? If so, where do workers get money to buy goods and services from those businesses?

Does it HAVE to be a them vs. us mentality?

Laying all Illinois’ economic problems at the feet of unions reflects tunnel vision, in my opinion.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:17 pm
What a surprise - totally unexpected - what business organization will be next?

Comment by illini Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:19 pm
“Why is responsibility for the budget impasse an either/or proposition, either the executive or legislative? Why is responsibility not really on both? Not simply as a matter of rhetoric, but in substance.”

The Governor isn’t even discussing the budget.

Comment by ihpsdm Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Are there any professionals in the chamber?

Make your case, back it up with numbers, and sell it to the public.

For crying out loud, take pride in your work, quit acting like meaningless talking points constitute effort.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:23 pm
==The status quo is completely unacceptable == if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them==

He’s not wrong.

Perhaps. But that doesn’t mean Rauner’s solution is the right one.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:24 pm
@Anon III: Okay, Illinois is insolvent. How does destroying unions before addressing an ever-expanding budget hole help us out of insolvency?

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Give me a break, I was in Springfield last night and the homeless situation has gotten REALLY REALLY bad. Right around the old state capital seems to have become a defacto shelter. I work in East St. Louis and don’t see as many homeless people in a quarter as I did last night. That being said, I know they are hear because we serve them every day. I think the reason that most in East St. Louis are off the streets (and thus sheltered) is because the Urban League of St. Louis Mo has ESL IL in it’s territory. Just a theory but I think that has to be part of it.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:25 pm
It was the business class, the wealthy that approached FDR, but the problem of the unemployed and poor. These Chamber folks act as if the only thing important in illinois is their precious profit growth.

Comment by Union Man Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:25 pm
—about the problem of the poor—

Comment by Union Man Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Michelle, you’re spot on.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:28 pm
OW, just saw an Instagram of Johnny and Mary in Kam’s at UIUC, having their final drink together, before Mom and Dad arrive with the van. They seemed to have a tear or two in their eyes.

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:32 pm
===They say ‘if we don’t make real changes now, we may never make them===

Define “real changes” and please be specific. What must be done, exactly, before the Governor will discuss the budget?

Does anyone know? Anybody?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:34 pm
@ T.A. === How does destroying unions before addressing an ever-expanding budget hole help us out of insolvency? ===

So you are in favor of business-as-usual, so long as it is your business which proceeds as usual.

Comment by Anon III Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:37 pm
We have the most regressive, anti-poor tax system in the country after Washington state, and still it isn’t enough for the Chamber. Meanwhile there isn’t enough in the state coffers to maintain a pension system according to promises made by past Republican governors. And labor unions have made clear they will sue to uphold every last mistaken letter of the state constitution.

This is a recipe for meltdown. Things are going to get much, much worse. We are entering the territory of failed states, a category normally applied to entire countries, but applicable here to US states because they are seen by the courts as sovereign entities which cannot declare bankruptcy.

Any sane person will rue either the day Pat Quinn lost re-election or the day Kirk Dillard lost the GOP primary. The rest get to persist in their fantasy, fiddling while Rome burns.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:38 pm
@Anon III: I didn’t advocate for anything. I simply asked you a question, which you did not answer.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Yes! Finally, the chamber is standing up for the children!

Oh, wait…I see now. Just SOME children.

Comment by Emily Miller Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:41 pm
The status quo is completely unacceptable

Less acceptable that what we have NOW?
The “status quo” changed when this guy was elected and decided to shut down the state if he didn’t get his way.

Would the Chamber consider Jim Edgar the “status quo”? What about Thompson? At what point does the Chamber of Status Quo Commerce decide it doesn’t like the world it helped create?

Todd - that is a completely bogus statement. We haven’t had the status quo in place since January. Since then all hells broken loose.

Happy now?

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:42 pm
===OW, just saw an Instagram of Johnny and Mary in Kam’s at UIUC, having their final drink together, before Mom and Dad arrive with the van. They seemed to have a tear or two in their eyes.===

I’m also sure Urbana, Champaign, Bloomington-Normal, Cabondale, Macomb, Charleston, DeKalb, even Springfield and Chicago will love the state universities closed, those “Main Street”s and neighborhood business are with the Chamber too…

Those apartment owners in those towns…

… even the beloved Kams would not be too pleased.

But, as - Michelle Flaherty - points out, Mr. Maich points out, the status quo needs to change, said by… well, - Michelle Flaherty - covered that…

I was in Urbana last weekend for a spell. The town will look like a “continual” spring break on campus; students gone, but this time, the return date will be “TBD”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:46 pm
===Give me a break, I was in Springfield last night and the homeless situation has gotten REALLY REALLY bad.===

All those former state reps and senators are everywhere. /s

Don’t mean to shrug off the seriousness of the homeless. It’s a scar in Chicago as well. We need cooperation from everyone to solve this. It’s hard to post much anymore. We’re in a vicious circle and every day it’s just the same comments.

Comment by A guy Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Well Anon III, the turn around agenda does nothing to solve the current deficit. Will businesses flock to Illinois overnight if any of his agenda is passed? No.

However, what is going to happen is the deficit will increase your taxes. Sooner or later that monkey will be sitting on your shoulders. And if it’s a big retroactive tax increase, you can thank the Governor for that big chunk coming out of your check.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:49 pm
A guy- I caught the snark mark this time…good one. But back to seriousness, it got cold last night and I was pretty concerned. I know Chicago is bad. I used to live in Hyde Park. I think all Illinoisans of good will need to start getting money and supplies to strong organizations like Urban League, Catholic Charities and the like. We need to do it now. We’re going to get a good preview of the future. What is happening now, I’m afraid will be normative in the future.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:59 pm
I don’t know what’s more status quo than a crusty ‘Chamber of Commerce’.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 12:59 pm
Apparently hospitals, social service providers, and health care NFPs aren’t members of local Chambers….

Comment by Waffle Fries Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:13 pm
I’m still struggling with the bland, generic descriptions like “staus quo” which have no meaning. Are the folks who support busting unions and ending prevailing wage so ashamed of their cause that they dare not utter their actual goals? It’s more difficult to type some of the nicknames on here than to say you want to “end collective bargaining and prevailing wage”. That is assuming that’s the goal, it’s hard to tell.

Comment by AC Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:16 pm
The Chamber of Commerce apparently thinks that democracy is completely unacceptable?

The Democrats overwhelmingly won both state legislative chambers, in a very pro-Republican year nationwide.

Rauner meanwhile barely won while studiously avoiding campaigning on many of the subjects (his sudden rightward shift on unions) he now claims a mandate for.

As far as I’m concerned, we’re all union members now. And Rauner and apparently the IL CoC want to bust us, by ratcheting up the pain and pressure until we cry “Uncle” to them and submit.

No.

Comment by ZC Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:18 pm
I am a pro Chamber person, but this give me what I want or I won’t play crap is a loser.

Tell the people what, exactly, you propose and how, exactly, it is going to improve their lives. Most people agree they need balance and we have gone far too left, but people also hate the unknown. Make it known and propose solutions.

They are not being a solution based organization. They are acting like a talk show or blog host(no offense rich). You have to make a proposal that sells, not just say give me!

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:32 pm
“The status quo is completely unacceptable” Ok, then how about we go back to the status ante quo, you know last fall when we were actually paying our bills?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:32 pm
Several years ago I was asked to join the local C of C ( I am/was a one man consulting business ). I was open and flattered by the invitation but when I asked if I had to pay dues to the State and national organizations and was told that opting out was not an option - I passed.

Sorry, but I was unwilling to be associated with the Billionaires and multi-national corps that run this organization. They do not represent me.

Comment by illini Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:39 pm
How many times do some have to say it: Illinois has improved a lot since the Great Recession. Is it perfect or can we have more growth? Of course we can and should. In the bigger picture, we have a lot of assets upon which we can build.

This again makes me think of the people who push the “Illinois is Terrible” narrative and who they represent. How can the state be so terrible when some of these Illinois residents are multimillionaires and billionaires, and they’re wealthy corporate owners and on editorial boards and so on?

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:40 pm
When I think Chamber of Commerce I think of my local chamber, the one in Union County. Then, I’m reminded of when they decided to hold their chamber Christmas dinner at a business that was not a chamber member, forgoing others that were. Some, for years.
And then I forget about anything any Chamber of Commerce says about anything.

Comment by efudd Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Illini - may ask you to repeat that? The State Chamber has “forced member dues”? Isn’t that what the Illinois Policy Institute and Rauner are suing SEIU over? Maybe one of the business members should sue the Illinois Chamber for their dues. Right to Business! Right to Business!

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 2:22 pm
Grandson, those people you reference would likely be multi-millionaires regardless where they live. Few think, boy I’m glad I live in Illinois, this great state has made me wealthy.

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 2:35 pm
OW, now just saw an Instagram of Johnny and Mary with their noses pressed against the car window waving goodbye, as the van heads up 57

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 2:36 pm
===OW, now just saw an Instagram of Johnny and Mary with their noses pressed against the car window waving goodbye, as the van heads up 57===

… With the “University of Illinois” location stamp on the picture I hope… That would be so poetic, the Instagram College Stamp on the picture showing the students having to leave…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 2:50 pm
360 - to make myself clear - I was told that the dues ( and honestly, I do not remember what they were quoted to me at that time ) were to go to the local Chamber as well as the State and National organizations and that I could not have the option of just paying dues to the local chamber which I might have done. But knowing the political leanings of this organization and a like minded organization of Independent Business owners ( forget the full name ) I decided to pass on both.

Yet you may have a great point - but since I am not a member I can not ask that any dues be returned to me. Good Luck!

Comment by illini Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 2:56 pm
thank you illini

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Thank goodness for the Illinois Chamber finally some reasonable, real and attainable solutions for the budget debate….oh wait never mind.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 3:07 pm
== Honeybear: “Give me a break, I was in Springfield last night and the homeless situation has gotten REALLY REALLY bad. Right around the old state capital seems to have become a defacto shelter.” ==

Ummmh, no.

Those were (a) tourists on the “Lincoln’s Ghosts” tour, and (b) me and friends — mostly State employees or retirees — leaving dinner at one of the eateries on the south side of the mall.

Comment by Curmudgeon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 3:23 pm
ZC nailed it.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Maisch is simply doing his job, more than you can say about some

Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Small businesses are not normally targets for unionization. What is their definition of small business?

Comment by burbanite Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 4:28 pm
Maybe some of these university administrators should have been doing their job and they wouldn’t have lost 10-23% of their student body.

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 2, 15 @ 4:29 pm