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* The sentiment is nice, but it’s not like there is a particular “logistics” problem with getting the four tops in the same room as the governor. But, hey, if it moves the ball forward, I’m fine with it…
We are calling for a meeting between the governor and the four Illinois legislative leaders to discuss solutions for the current prolonged budget impasse threatening our state.
This inaction is unprecedented and unacceptable to Illinois voters.
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform along with Illinois Public Interest Research Group and our other nonpartisan reform organizations want to help.
We are ready to facilitate the logistics of a meeting in either Chicago or Springfield but believe that it must occur prior to Nov. 15 due to the urgent need for resolution on this issue.
After more than 100 days of this stalemate, the consequences have become clear. Illinois residents in serious need are unable to receive important government services, and many non-profit organizations are unable to continue critically important work tied to state grants. Illinois’ state universities and community colleges may not be able to operate in the next semester of this academic year, leaving many students unable to graduate on time.
The consequences are too great.
We cannot let this situation continue.
While leadership may not align on some core principles, we believe it is necessary for them to meet together, work through these issues and agree on a budget.
Now is the time to act, before the consequences become even more dire.
We extend this offer with sincere concern for the citizens and the state of Illinois.
Susan Garrett, board chair, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform
Mary Kubasak, president, League of Women Voters of Illinois
Hoy McConnell, executive director, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
Maryam Judar, executive director, Citizen Advocacy Center
George Ranney, chair, CHANGE Illinois
Andy Shaw, president and CEO, Better Government Association
* I checked with the comptroller’s office and there’s no change in her belief that economic reforms must come if taxes are to rise to pay for all this…
Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Thursday toured the Community Crisis Center in Elgin and discussed the impact the state’s budget impasse is having on domestic violence providers and other nonprofits in Illinois.
Without a budget in place, the state is legally not able to pay domestic service providers for work they have done since July 1. As a result, some centers have had to dig deep into their cash reserves, others have had to lay off workers and cut services, and others have closed their doors. Thousands of victims of domestic violence are going unserved.
“Ironically, October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” Munger said. “The best way to acknowledge and honor the efforts of our domestic violence providers this month is to pass a balanced budget so they can continue providing critical services to women and children in need.”
* And legalized kidnapping? Hmm…
One Illinois State Senator is trying to re-cast John Hughes’ Cult ‘80s classic “The Breakfast Club” with the state’s political leaders.
Deerfield Democrat Senator Julie Morrison filed legislation Tuesday that would essentially lock Illinois’ leaders into a room once every week until they learn to play nice with the people’s’ tax dollars. If passed, Senate Bill 2190 would make these weekly after-school detentions a public forum so all of Illinois can see how well it’s government is getting along.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:07 pm
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What an idea!! I’m all for it. Maybe something would get done, especially if it was available for the public to see for themselves. But I seriously doubt if it will ever come to pass. Fun to think about though.
Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:13 pm
I thought Madigan said yesterday that he and Rauner were actually starting to meet? (after months of no meetings)
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:13 pm
All the tried and true advocacy tactics are coming up short in this crisis. I say let’s throw everything out there and see what sticks.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:17 pm
Uhm, what’s the goo, goo (or pretend goo, goo) agenda?
Comment by Charlie Foxtrot Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:24 pm
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:24 pm
The more heat, the more better, right now.
I’m guessing about a week before Thanksgiving the problems of state government fall off the radar for the media and citizens not directly impacted by this disaster, and won’t come into focus again until after the New Year.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:24 pm
===legalized kidnapping===
I like the detention analogy. You have to go to detention but, if you don’t, you get kicked out of school (or your leadership position in this case). The bill is not going anywhere, though.
Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Agenda for the meeting. Budget. Nothing else? The problem isn’t the budget, and it never has been. The problem is the unrelated non-budgetary items that the Governor insists be passed despite putting zero effort into explaining how they help the state.
Comment by Dilemma Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Isn’t the Breakfast Club high school now a state office? They could actually meet on the ACTUAL SET!!
Comment by Shark Sandwich Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Maybe Sen. Morrison can require the Governor and the 4 tops (and let’s throw in Rahm for good measure) to wear Google Glass (https://www.youtube.com/user/googleglass) 24/7 and broadcast live feeds on to Cap Fax’s website until the budget is passed?
Comment by Charlie Foxtrot Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Interestingly enough, Maine West High School where the Breakfast Club was filmed is now a State Office Bldg. Why not host the detention at the actual set location?
Comment by NeveroddoreveN Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Madigan at least, has already been meeting with Rauner, with no movement. No doubt the staffs could get together on a moment’s notice. It’s not logistics; it’s lack of will. Both think impasse is their winning track. Won’t change until both are convinced otherwise.
Comment by walker Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Well done, MrJM!
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:31 pm
- @MisterJayEm - wins.
lol.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:34 pm
How can Munger and Rauner continue this absurd argument that domestic violence survivors can receive life-saving services ONLY AFTER the General Assembly passes term limits and tort reform?
Comment by Bull Moose Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Guys and Gals,
With respect, the assumptions here seem stupid to me. The central issue is iresolvable unless and until the GOP in the GA abandons Rauner. The Dems can’t pass union busting. They just can’t. You doon’t have to take it from some wack professor, Edgar and Thompson said so. And by the way, it would not help the state. Find me an economist who says it would. Rauner’s is not a “turn-around” agenda. But even if you insist on thinking it is, the Dems cannot possibly and will not possibly yield. As a “compromise” we could get something on redistricting perhaps. But Rauner ain’t gonna take that.
So how about we lock the Senate and House in their respective chambers, leave Rauner out of it and put Edgar and Thompson in it?! In exchange for redistricting, we get a tax rate that matches our spending. This has to include GOP green lights on a tax increase! Rauner can line-item out any spending he thinks is drunken sailor money. (Good luck with that.)But otherwise he is irrelevant.
Oh, you say, “there have to be spending cuts.” Such cuts are either at the Governor’s discretion already, or they are not possible politically or by court order. That’s what we learned this summer, if we did not know it already!
But honestly, I’m disappointed in the crew here. Follow the debate!
Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:46 pm
Cue up the opening music!
Rich Miller: Welcome to the Monday Leaders Meeting Show! I’m your host, Rich Miller. With me today are Bernie Schoenburg, Amanda Vinicky, Rick Pearson, Mike Flannery and Dave McKinney. Eric Zorn will join us later with leader injury reports. Jim Belushi will regale us with this week’s “Little Guy” perspective. Be gentle with Jim this week. He’s still in pain over the total collapse of the Chicago Cubs!
Now Bernie, “what do you expect us to accomplish?”
Bernie: “Nothing Rich.”
Rich: “And you Amanda?”
Amanda: “How about a whole lot of nothing, Rich.”
Rich: “How about …”
Rick, Mike and Dave (in unison): “Don’t look at us Rich.”
Rich: “Ok, Eric. Any news on the injury front?”
Eric: “Rich, I’ve heard that Madigan has a small cut due to a very stubborn apple. Also, Rauner staff is denying a report that the Governor has a stubbed toe due to a motorcycle parking accident. The attribute the report to a corrupt union parking attendant intent on making the governor look weak and non-responsive.”
Rich: “Well for this week’s Little Guy perspective, here’s John …
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:47 pm
The Breakfast Club was filmed at the former Maine North campus, not Maine West, which is still a school. North is indeed a state building.
Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Oops, typed too fast. Wife wants lunch.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:49 pm
The biggest issue for resolution here is not long term reform…it’s abut finding the least damaging way of dealing with the fiscal 2016 budget deficit. Even a tax increase coming in this late won’t cover it. Serious cuts and spending deferrals need to be made in addition to a temporary “pension” tax increase to get the deferred liabilities under control.
The problem is that the only “cutting” Madigan and Cullerton are willing to do is to “cut their slice” out of any tax increase to feed their cronies and political contributors.
And what a hefty “cut” that will be…..
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:50 pm
sb 2190 logically is not realistic. BUT viscerally i love it
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:51 pm
What are the “economic” reforms Munger refers to?
Comment by burbanite Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:55 pm
“The best way to acknowledge and honor the efforts of our domestic violence providers”
Yeah, I don’t want to have anything to do with those who provide domestic violence.
I know what she means, but it’s not what that statement says.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Theme song:
“Don’t you…. forget about unions…. hey,hey,hey, HEY!”
Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Maybe the involved egos need a neutral meeting ground, far away from the press. President Obama could make Camp David available.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:16 pm
Rich, uh, will milk be made available to us?
Comment by Elo Kiddies Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:22 pm
==I like the detention analogy==
It is fitting.
Some Illinois pols currently in prison may have benefitted from a few school suspensions as well. Mautino is the new hall monitor?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:23 pm
Those who picked October in the “When will be have a budget pool” are about to lose their money.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:23 pm
More evidence of what I’ve mentioned previously relating to the “heat” of many small communities sharpening their pitchforks and reminding local legislators that they work for them, not the other way around. Heard there was a shortage of tar, and a mysterious case of bald chickens in five counties…I’d book a flight to the Caymans if I were them!
Comment by Captain Illini Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:29 pm
How about proposing a budget bill instead?
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:35 pm
I prefer the script to St. Elmo’s Fire in this instance. But that’s just me.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:43 pm
I know this won’t work. There is a part of me that thinks locking them all up would make me smile.
Comment by Bruce (No not him) Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Go Julie Morrison, they need to meet once a week. Around the holidays they will dislike it. It is time for them to suffer some.
Comment by Reality Check Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Maine North is home to the Lottery Prize Redemption Office.
So there’s some underutilized space…
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:51 pm
I doubt that these 4 Tops will break into “I’ll Be There”!
Comment by nadia Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 1:52 pm
==I prefer the script to St. Elmo’s Fire in this instance. But that’s just me.==
I can hear Rauner and Madigan fighting over the record collection now…
BR: You cannot have Toby Keith’s first album! That’s mine.
Madigan: I bought it.
BR: With pension money!
Madigan: OK, but no Buddy Guy leaves this house! BR: Only if you take Boat Drink Caucus.
Comment by nixit71 Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Chad Hays wants to lock the House doors until something is finished. But who would make the hot cocoa?!
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Televise it!
Comment by Nero says let it burn Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:19 pm
I heard a horrible screeching. Looking around I saw my then seven year old son had locked the dog and the cat in the dogs cage together. I asked why? He told me that they “had to learn to get along.” His effort was as productive as this one would be.
Comment by ottawa otter Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:28 pm
Anyone remember the scene from Ghostbusters when they are in the Mayors office? I picture it something like that.
Comment by Nero says let it burn Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:28 pm
“Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!”
Comment by Grimm Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:46 pm
“Everything was fine till ****less here shut down our power grid.”
Comment by Nero says let it burn Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 2:51 pm
Arizona Bob,
You write “The problem is that the only “cutting” Madigan and Cullerton are willing to do is to “cut their slice” out of any tax increase to feed their cronies and political contributors.”
What part of “line item veto” don’t you understand. The Governor can cut any inside dealing if it exists and if he wants to. So that can’t be the problem. And the Governor can cut up a Democrat passed budget, but he passed on the opportunity. Why? If the cuts are available with violating the law or causing a political revolt, why doesn’t he just do it?
You know the answer but won’t admit it. THERE AINT NO SIGNIFICANT CUTS that wouldn’t cause a furor.
Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 3:00 pm
@History Prof
Surely you’re smart enough to know that Madigan doesn’t have line items for “political graft”, “unnecessary, overpriced construction”, “unjustified raises for Dem cronies”, and “grants for street gangs, my political contributors and campaign workers”.
His graft will be buried under all sorts of meritorious sounding “line items”.
Please tell me you’re not a “professor” teaching Illinois students about Illinois and Chicago history. If so, I weep for our future generations if you don’t understand this.
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 3:36 pm
AZ Bob:
I can point out line items and buried spending in the budget that have come from all sorts of members of both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly. To pretend this is a Madigan only problem is laughable.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 3:41 pm
The solution is simple, pay for all the worthy social programs, increase money for education, and cut taxes.
Comment by Ken M Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Wordslinger–I agree on timing. Heat up for a bit post New Years right up til primary
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 4:16 pm
@Demoralized
I have no doubt this budgetary abuse is bi-partisan. Madigan and Cullerton are masters at it, and they’ve been known to share the graft wealth with “compliant” Republicans throughout their careers. The point is that they’re the gatekeepers right now for patronage and political payback. Nothing gets through unless they bless it.
Radogno and Durkin are just bit players here, as is Rauner when it comes to pork…
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 5:02 pm
But there is pork and there is pork. There is pork that needs to be built and there is complete waste. The former used to be called “honest graft.”
But what about my larger point, which is that it doesn’t matter. The public sector has been shrinking for decades but in the last decade it has collapsed at the state, local, and federal level. And most economists will tell you that the public sector shrinking is the biggest drag on the economy by far. A little bit of graft here and there just doesn’t matter that much. And again, the F.B.I. has gotten three governors in recent memory. And they continue in their job, as they should. Rauner looks over all spending. It its so obvious, why doesn’t he stop it?
But in either case, it just does not rise to the level of significantly affecting the deficits we are talking about.
And can I ask where and when you went to school, because if it was a public institution, the state paid for your college. Was there no graft then?
Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 5:37 pm