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Report: Business refused to relocate to Illinois specifically because of the impasse

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Illinois

* The little town of Marshall (population 3,933), is shutting off services to some state facilities…

At 1 p.m. — unless the state intervenes — the toilets will stop flushing at the Cumberland Road Rest Area along Interstate 70.
The lights will go out at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s highway garage in Marshall. And IDOT’s local office building will lose electricity, water, sewer and gas services.

* The town is owed almost $500,000, which is a lot of money to such a small community. But the mayor is also quite upset about the impact of the impasse…

For Marshall, the ramifications go beyond the outstanding utility bills. [Mayor Camie Sanders] said talks between the city and a company interested in relocating to the community fell through, because the corporation won’t invest in Illinois until the impasse is resolved.

Ugh.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:10 am

Comments

I’m sure we’ll be hearing from the governor’s office about how this is all Madigan’s fault.

Comment by Aldyth Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:13 am
A small town of 4,000 people?

Just another wedge.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:19 am
Yeah, its all because of Mike Madigan!

Comment by illini Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:20 am
“Hi, Rich-

We’re talking about a town of less than 4,000 people. Gov Rauner has a question;

Do they really matter?

They’re not Winnetka, after all.

Thanks!
ck”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:26 am
Pro-business policies work yet again!

Comment by The Equalizer Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:26 am
‘Ugh’, yes, but also: What did you expect?

Comment by UIC Guy Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:27 am
We have a concrete example of a business not relocating to Illinois because of an impasse designed to force a turn around agenda that may or may not attract businesses. Unfortunately, we don’t know whether the turn around agenda will in fact attract businesses because there has been absolutely no studies done, no analysis, no businesses committing to relocate, or basically any other evidence to back up the claim.

At some point, the governor has to sell this plan as being better than the alternative, right?

Comment by Dilemma Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:27 am
Mike Madigan and the town mayors he controls are standing in the way of needed structural reform. It’s true…really…not kiddin’…I mean it.

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:28 am
I honestly do not know how any of us are working and getting paid…. IMO the state should stop all together until this is fixed, rather than the courts forcing payments her and there for programs , this only allows this to go on virtually indefinitely. our vendors are cutting us off every day, soon no one will sell to us anyway… close the state and see what gets done then.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:30 am
The Governor, The Superstars, and The Raunerbots, take pride in this kind of “shaken” sacrifice. (vs “shaking”)

The “trinity” does not need them, therefore they don’t matter.

Comment by cdog Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:33 am
A first-world government would ensure that the services the provide to citizens would be the best they could be, and the government workers also would be safe.

No Water.

No Electricity.

No … Fuel?

I thought Pat Quinn was trying to make Illinois a Third-World, Banana Republic mess…

“Pat Quinn failed…”

…at that. It will be Gov. Rauner that drags Illinois into Third-World status… until the Turnaround Agenda is passed.

You can’t make this stuff up. Honest.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:33 am
Gee, no specifics on that “company”, huh? I wonder if it’s a sandwich shop or oil change station?

One also wonders how a “local IDOT office” is able to run up $500K in unpaid utility bills since this “impasse” began.

Unless there’s a diarreah outbreak in IDOT creating massive water bills or someone has searchlights going 24/7, methinks something is rotten in Marshall.

It’s also curious that electric and gas bills are paid to the town instead of either the power coop or utility companies. Sounds strange.

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:34 am
Hang in there, Town of Marshall! #Winning!

Comment by Roamin' Numeral Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:35 am
ha ha ha Arizona Bob! Funny way to start the day.

Comment by NoGifts Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:37 am
Drip . . . Drip . . . Drip

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:38 am
Marshall, come on — listen up: hang in there.

They’re literally scared for their lives, those Ds. We’re winning.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:44 am
Rauner doesn’t care. He has the lower tax rate for now. Lots more casualties are coming. The state closings, layoffs, and defaults won’t hurt him. Keep up the impasse Madigan.

Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:44 am
Arizona Bob @ 8:34 am =One also wonders how a “local IDOT office” is able to run up $500K in unpaid utility bills since this “impasse” began.==

From the linked article:

“He estimates the state owes Marshall nearly $500,000 altogether, including the city’s portion of gaming funds.”

Comment by Anon. Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:51 am
The purpose of government is to serve its citizens. Governor Rauner disagrees with that, as he believes government should only focus on citizens who don’t need to be served.

Consequently, Illinois government isn’t serving. It isn’t functioning. It is relying upon courts to do what it ought to be doing. It has a governor disinterested in governing or providing any services if it means compromising with people he politically opposes. The party in power is willing to let this dysfunctional governor pull the entire state down upon his own head.

No one can blame Democrats for their willingness to watch Rauner destroy himself. The Governor has repeatedly criminalized state leaders as corrupt, spent millions broadcasting this across the state, and burned down every compromise that traditionally existed for every new governor. Rauner has few friends in government, as a result.

Rauner is showing us how not to be a governor. What his supporters see as determination, is but a pique of arrogance favoring a course of action few endorse.

Marshall isn’t just any small town. It is a town with a strong vibrant history of self reliance and it is what Republicans often use as an example of their small government policies.

Just as Rauner’s Right To Work fiasco failed in the towns and counties he overwhelmingly carried a year ago in the General Election, Rauner’s poor governorship is making these same political districts unreachable to the Governor for future campaigns.

I suppose Marshall got what it voted for. It got a governor with such a disgust for government that he wrecked it during his first year in office, causing Marshall to lose the very economic edge it thought it was voting for a year earlier.

For Rauner to visit Marshall today, would be like him posing with the camp kids in front of the Illinois State Museum. He appears to have little conscience for the consequences of his own actions.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:51 am
From the article: a local resident “also indicated the Windy City has too much influence on the entire state’s finances.
“If [state officials] quit pandering to Chicago, I think our tax dollars should stay in the county that their paid in,” she said.

I think Cook County would agree to that in a heartbeat…
It amazes me the level of hatred of Chicago in the area where I grew up.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:52 am
==One also wonders how a “local IDOT office” is able to run up $500K in unpaid utility bills since this “impasse” began.==

According to the article, this is the total amount owed to the city not just the utility bills. Research before commenting

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:53 am
So…. a governing strategy of willful sabotage is bad for business?

Are we sure about that? The governor has assured us that The Plan will result in a bright sunny day that is so wonderful that it can’t be articulated as to be understood by mere mortals.

Have faith, baby. Runaway deficits and bustout, deadbeat governance lead to economic prosperity.

Why is that so hard to understand?

I suggest the people of Marshall click their heels twice and chant “shake it up.”

If that doesn’t work, do it again.

Because there is no Plan B.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:55 am
@Bob:

Click on the story. It’s not $500K worth of utility bills. It includes ALL money owed to the city by the state. Try not to jump to your normal corruption conclusion about everything that happens. Contrary to your beliefs, not everything is corrupt.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 8:58 am
==Gee, no specifics on that “company”, huh? I wonder if it’s a sandwich shop or oil change station?==

What difference does it make? A business didn’t locate here because of the impasse. You don’t think that’s worth reporting?

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:00 am
“Welcome to Illinois

Our rest stops are now only good for resting.

Governor Rauner”

Comment by Norseman Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:00 am
Allen D:

You’ve commented several times about pay from the state. I’ll say it again, you give up your pay first. YOu seem to be gung ho about taking money away from people. You start.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:00 am
But but but, its all so we can get probusiness reforms… Just wait and see.

I’ve said it before, we could go buck wild eliminating regulations and worker protections and it still won’t get us back to where we were before this mess. This tilting at windmills is now about ego. The cost benefit just doesn’t make sense anymore. There will be very little R for a ton of I.

Comment by Me too Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:02 am
Again, where is DCEO? Is that not the agency charged with helping the business community? Of all agencies I would think that one would be staffed and funded. I bet if you asked Marshall they will tell you that they used to have a contact at DCEO. I bet they haven’t heard a word since Rauner won. Where is the help for these people? Sure the state may not have money but can’t they offer these folks non-monetary advise and planning help? It doesn’t even matter if a company was real or not. This is obviously a cry for help. God’s sake DCEO get someone to Marshall and help!

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:08 am
You kid Norseman, but they actually have those in Alabama. Just a pull off. I suppose you could use the tree line for your other business.

Comment by Me too Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:12 am
What would happen if more vendors, cities and towns owed money did the same. What if it was briefly done en masse. Would it be enough to get everyone’s attention and force folks to the negotiating table to the table?

Comment by Njardar Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:12 am
If just one certain vendor refuses to do further business with IL over non-payment then the great constriction will begin. That vendor processes gas purchases for the majority of the state vehicles. Agency employees use the “Wex” gas card every time a vehicle is fueled at a non-state facility; the Wex card is like a credit card in that the issuer floats a loan to the state in return for eventual repayment. No gas card? Watch what happens to state business.

Comment by merky Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:14 am
I suppose you could use the tree line for your other business.

Actually, “rest areas” are an anachronism dating from the ’50’s and earlier when the new interstate highways were being built and services needed to be added quickly to accommodate the traveling public. With the proliferation of truck stops, restaurants and other facilities at nearly every exit providing similar or better accommodations, they are a debatable public expense.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:22 am
Norseman - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:00 am:
“Welcome to Illinois
Our rest stops are now only good for resting.
Governor Rauner”
****

Actually, the rest stop, which is a Welcome Center also, will be closed if the water is shut off. So, cross your legs until you actually reach Marshall. Warning, the FS Stop’s restrooms are for paying customers only:)

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:24 am
==Gee, no specifics on that “company”, huh?==

Oh, pull the other one, it lights up and makes noises. Rauner needs to own his failure.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:27 am
==Actually, the rest stop, which is a Welcome Center also, will be closed if the water is shut off==

Can we get volunteers to take down the “for the people of Illinois” underneath the “Welcome To Illinois” sign? You know, the ones put up by Quinn after RRB attached his name to everything possible? If I lived in Illinois, I wouldn’t want my name (as a group) attached to a closed facility.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:28 am
Merky - that wouldn’t really work out like you think. Agency directors would simply require the employees to purchase fuel themselves, then fill out a travel voucher and wait (for months) to be “reimbursed”.

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:30 am
IDOT ought to remove the “Welcome to Illinois” signs and install new ones that read “No Services Next XX Miles”.

The rest areas do provide a service to long haul truckers. They have a maximum number of hours they can drive each day. So stopping at a rest area is a convenient and location for them to get their required off duty hours.

I pass 2 rest areas every day and they are always packed with semis.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:39 am
Public toilets not flushing is a good metaphor for the “turnaround” demands.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:40 am
What if all the state university football teams went on strike in support of their institutions?

/s

Ironic that the pain of no gov’t funding is felt all across the state, especially in localities that are usually run by Republicans who assumed it all went to Chicago. Actually the flow is the other way.

Comment by walker Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:41 am
@Az Bob

Might surprise you, but there are quite a few towns in Illinois that have gas and electric utilities.

http://imea.org/Members.aspx

Comment by BW Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:42 am
“In an effort to maintain and enhance the local economy, the City of Marshall is taking an active role in Economic Development.”

http://www.marshall-il.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=212&Itemid=208

Enterprise Zone:

http://www.marshall-il.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205&Itemid=196

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:44 am
The number one problem facing the state of Illinois is the budget…sounds a bit like MJM, but he is correct. Now there are plenty of problems with Illinois that need addressed, but first (now that stealing from the pension system is off the table) we need to fix the structural deficit in Illinois. We have elections for a reason, and Rauner needs to understand that if you want to gut the core constituency of the democratic party you have to first beat them in elections…numbers matter. Rauner does not get a ‘turn around agenda” without changing the legislative math and that takes elections.

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:48 am
Lester Holt’s Mustache: I don’t know if you were kidding, but most unionized state employees such as state police and parole agents (that’s a small sample) who drive LOTS of miles daily will refuse to begin paying for gas purchases for state business. I don’t believe that they can be forced to place themselves at economic risk.

Comment by merky Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:55 am
==What difference does it make?==

None whatsoever. If it weren’t for that, he’d just find some other reason to not believe his lyin’ eyes.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:01 am
Anon221, exactly! Look at this little city go after it! I’d love to ask them if they’ve actually gotten any help or even know who to talk too at DCEO. They might have links to DCEO for enterprise zone but a link doesn’t mean service. Lights might be on but nobody is home.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:02 am
== Gee, no specifics on that “company”, huh? I wonder if it’s a sandwich shop or oil change station? ==

In a town of 3,900, a sandwich shop or gas station can make a significant contribution to the local economy. In Winnetka, maybe not so much.

Comment by olddog Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:03 am
Heck, Rauner did run on Crisis Creates Leverage. It would have been more accurate to have run on Hostages and Wedges. Balancing the budget will have a tremendous positive impact on Illinois. If he doesn’t pass the Turnaround Agenda along with it, he won’t be able to try to attribute the improvement to that.

Comment by Earnest Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:09 am
#winning

Comment by Jorge Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:12 am
Has anyone reached out to the Illinois Chamber for a quote? “Hang in there”?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:13 am
Everyone should realize that you first have to burn the state down before you can save it. snark

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:32 am
“We’re talking about a town of less than 4,000 people. Gov Rauner has a question;

Do they really matter?”

I know that was a joke, but it made me think of last Spring when towns half that size passing The Resolution was big news to old ck. Interesting how perspective changes things, isn’t it?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:59 am
AZ Bob - keep up the good work! What are these progressives thinking? Less government means more prosperity for the people. If this budget impasse can just continue for a few more months, everyone will be “sitting pretty”. What don’t they get?

Comment by veritas Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:03 am
“Hi, ‘Skeptic’-

Please don’t point out where Gov. Rauner may be hypocritical. I’ve changed the batteries in the Rauner Word Jumble and ready to make response to you that doesn’t address that irony, but does waste all of our time, please don’t make me.

Thanks!
ck”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:09 am
=IDOT ought to remove the “Welcome to Illinois” signs and install new ones that read “No Services Next XX Miles”.=

Actually, Illinois DOES have signs to go with the “welcome to Illinois” sign. It’s typically, “Freeway ends one mile. Pay toll ahead”

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:27 am
What Rauner’s doing is like cutting out a cancer. It’s painful to treat, but the only other option is death. Madigan and most of those posting here on the public payrolls, or getting public pensions, would be happy to let the patient die and move on. Rauner wants to save it, but the unions and Madigan are standing between him and the surgery.

Pretty simple, but ACCURATE, analogy.

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:31 am
ABob: “Pretty simple, but ACCURATE, analogy.” Um, with all due respect, not it isn’t. There are other ways of treating cancer than surgery and not all cancers are fatal. Not even all or malignant. But otherwise spot on. The unions are Madigan are indeed standing in the way of what may be needless radical surgery.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:46 am
==Pretty simple, but ACCURATE, analogy. ==

Except that the Governor won’t tell us what exactly he wants to cut, or how it is relevant to anything.

Comment by Anon. Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:49 am
You are right for once AB. Rauner is cutting out what he consider to be a cancer, the poor, disabled, the elderly, local governments, his own agencies. He’s engaged in surgery all right. All in the name of destroying unions and for no definable ROI. How many months now has Wordslinger been on a mythical quest to find Rauners ROI? He’ll never find it because this exploritory surgery is killing us. Arizona Bob I declare you Troglodytarum Rex, King of Trolls.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:04 pm
==What Rauner’s doing is like cutting out a cancer. ==

Dr. Rauner is forgetting that pesky Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm.

Comment by Name Withheld Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:10 pm
The feeding of the Troll continues I see…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:14 pm
So it’s clear that IDOT does not have the authorization to fund/pay utility bills. Does anyone know if there will be diesel fuel for the snowplows this winter? No need for a rest area if I-70 is impassible, right?

Comment by Mattman Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:36 pm
== It’s also curious that electric and gas bills are paid to the town instead of either the power coop or utility companies. Sounds strange. ==

Lots of Illinois towns (including Marshall according to their web site) operate their own “utility” company … even if all they do is buy the utilities from a supplier and resell it to their citizens.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Now that the issue of the Christmas lights on the Capitol has been resolved, Ms. Rasmussen of the IPI can put out a plea on GoFundMe to help support our closed welcome centers and rest stops.

Comment by GA Watcher Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:56 pm
== Warning, the FS Stop’s restrooms are for paying customers only:) ==

Lot’s of businesses try this but, in the case of certain types of businesses, it is actually illegal according to the IL Plumbing Codes. I’m pretty sure gas stations are one of those businesses.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Mattman,

From what I’ve heard the answer to your question would be no. Unless something changes, WEX cards will be cut off on January 1st. These cards are used by ISP and IDOT among others for fuel. Some Troopers on rural patrols can go through a tank of gas or more per shift. Not good.

Comment by Redbird Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 12:59 pm
The City of Marshall generates its own electricity, pipes its own natural gas and of course provides water and sewer service, as well.

Comment by transplant Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 1:56 pm
==DCEO? Is that not the agency charged with helping the business community?==
Honeybear, DCEO was in charge of helping state businesses before Rauner was elected. Correct me if I’m wrong, but thanks to Rauner, DCEO is no longer a state agency.

Comment by Mama Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:01 pm
Merky @ 9:14am
The WEX cards are getting shut off on Jan. 1 according to our state fleet coordinator. No gas for state police cars, snow plows, dump trucks or prisoner busses to move prisoners. Ought to be fun when that happens! NOT!!

Comment by millikin Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:44 pm
== It’s typically, “Freeway ends one mile. Pay toll ahead”
No toll roads south of I-80… and Marshall is well south of I-80

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Mama, I’m pretty sure they’re still there. The PPP (public private partnership) that the GA proposed was a total poison pill so they haven’t transformed as far as I know. I just know that dear friends of mine can’t get any help from them. I just would have thought that Rauner being a business man would have but them first and foremost. This PPP isn’t the way to go though. It just makes it easier to make under the table deals with no accountability.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm
Merky, you apparently have a lot more faith in the current administration and their agency heads than I do. I haven’t seen anything in the last year that would lead me to believe any of them care about the economic well-being of employees, especially union members. I hope you are correct. From what I understand, the state will run out of operating capital sooner rather than later so we may find out whether your scenario will come to pass.

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 3:04 pm
Just saw the post by milliken, I guess we will find out sooner than I thought. Does the admin suspend all employee travel, even where necessary to do their jobs? Do they pay workers (whose jobs require travel) to sit at a desk all day? Hmm…….

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 3:08 pm
==With the proliferation of truck stops, restaurants and other facilities at nearly every exit providing similar or better accommodations, they [free rest stops] are a debatable public expense==

I knew Rauner must have a plan. No more free rest stops - make them go to private businesses to do their business - make them spend money at those private businesses. Now that is pro-business ideology at its best!

Comment by Joe M Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:10 pm