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State receives utility shut-off notice, administration blames Madigan

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Illinois

* Not everyone can hold out…

I’m told that traffic signals, roadway lighting, pump stations, rest areas and IDOT maintenance yards are affected.

A source in the governor’s office noted this morning that if Speaker Madigan had compromised on the appropriations bill that was passed on Tuesday “this would not be a problem.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:06 am

Comments

===A source in the governor’s office noted this morning that if Speaker Madigan had compromised on the appropriations bill that was passed on Tuesday “this would not be a problem.”===

Who vetoed the budget? Schmucks.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:07 am
“This would not be a problem” if we had a leader as governor.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:08 am
Could someone tell the SuperSars this was not on their “confidential” compromise list?

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:08 am
==Who vetoed the budget? Schmucks.==

Who had a bill before his chamber this week that would have fixed the issue, but slow-walked it out of pique and paranoia?

Bigger schmuck.

Comment by so... Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:09 am
===Bigger schmuck.===

Who has a line-item veto and could have managed the state’s spending if he only knew how government worked? The governor opened the can of worms and is shocked when his fingers get dirty?!

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:13 am
Rauner owns the budget.

Governors own. Always been.

Rauner needs more Ken Dunkins to get to 71 and 36 if they choose to veto budgets, and refuse to try to pass their own.

Governors own. It’s on Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:13 am
http://www.sweci.com/Home/Your-Energy/Paying-Your-Bill.aspx

http://www.sweci.com/Home/About-Us11.aspx

Formed in 1939 with a loan from the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SWECI) is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative located in Southwestern Illinois. Southwestern Electric Cooperative serves nearly 23,000 residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial member accounts in parts of Bond, Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Effingham, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Shelby and St. Clair Counties.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:15 am
“Your violation of our service agreement compromises our ability to provide that service and jeopardized the welfare of our membership and the general public.”

And winter has not yet arrived in Illinois.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:15 am
Governors don’t send bills from the House to the Senate as I remember it.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:17 am
Isn’t it the Executive Schmuck’s job to make sure these bills are paid? if this letter was written at the end of October, why didn’t Governor Rauner request an appropriation for it on Tuesday?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:18 am
LL - as I remember it, Governor’s submit budgets - balanced budgets - to the legislature to start the process. Still waiting for that.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:20 am
===Governors don’t send bills from the House to the Senate as I remember it.===

But they sure do send bills back to the house and senate, if you get my drift.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:21 am
With all these decisions to try to fund things that were previously vetoed, or simply not paid, isn’t it about time to hear from Comptroller Munger just where we stand on cash?

It doesn’t matter to any electric company what we say we will pay, if the check bounces.

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:24 am
Bruce,

Where is your Constitutionally Mandated balanced budget?

Don’t want to do the job.

Quit.

Thanx!
Jack

Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:24 am
A whole slew of staffers forced to look in the mirror every night and reflect on the Rauner disingenuity(ies) of the day.

Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:26 am
As a side note, perhaps Rauners thoughts about taking kids off vents won’t be so far off in the future. After all, no power, no worries.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:26 am
Who asked that the tax rate be allowed to drop, who did not present a constitutionally required balanced budget, who vetoed the GA’s budget, who appropriated education dollars for a budget that does not exist, who refuses to talk budget until other items are accepted. Bills gotta be paid. More cutoffs coming. The big chair has to make some choices.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:32 am
=== Could someone tell the SuperSars this was not on their “confidential” compromise list? ===

I’m not sure what the problem is.

They have until December 1.

Democrats should compromise and offer to help pass legislation appropriating money for IDOT’s electric bill with SWECI along with the means to pay for it.

Along with all of the other unpaid bills to other nonprofits.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:32 am
I really hate people who play victim and take no responsibility for their own actions. If the office of Governor has no power and is so helpless, why have one at all? That would save some money. Ugh

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:33 am
And Rich, you have been so hopeful of a compromise. Is Rauner and his anti-Madigan schtik really helping?

Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:34 am
From the State’s Ledger- Revenue and Expenditures. Drill down to your heart’s content campers-

http://www.wh1.ioc.state.il.us/Expert/Rev/ERFramesQuery.cfm?Control=Fund&GroupBy=Agcy&Max=20&FY=16&ShowMo=NO&FundSel=&FundGrpSel=&FundTypSel=&FundCatSel=&AgcySel=&AgcyGrpSel=&AgcyTypSel=&AgcyCatSel=&RevSel=&RevClsSel=&RevGrpSel=&RevTypSel=&SortName=No

http://www.wh1.ioc.state.il.us/Expert/Exp/EEFramesQuery.cfm?Control=State&Max=20&FY=16&Type=A&ShowBudg=NO&ShowMo=NO&ShowLapse=NO&FundSel=&FundClsSel=&FundGrpSel=&FundTypSel=&FundCatSel=&AgcySel=&AgcyClsSel=&AgcyGrpSel=&AgcyTypSel=&AgcyCatSel=&ApprSel=&ApprClsSel=&ApprGrpSel=&ApprTypSel=&ApprCatSel=&ObjeSel=&ObjtSel=&ObjtClsSel=&ObjtGrpSel=&ObjtTypSel=&ObjtCatSel=&SortName=No&GroupBy=Agcy&FundSel=0001

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:34 am
After reading today’s Cap Fax, it’s pretty apparent that blaming (or at least singling out) Speaker Madigan makes sense.

And, just being honest, things like parliamentary holds are the kinds of insider baseball that drives people batty.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:36 am
I’m not sure Tuesday’s appropriation bill would help this situation. My understanding is that bill releases money to the local governments. This bill appears to be to the State of Illinois and would not be covered.

Comment by Pelonski Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:41 am
Why does Rauner own this?

Until both sides can agree to stop taking hostages to prove points, and a budget, something a Governor needs, can be the focus of all in the governing of Illinois, then its up to ANY governor to call the 4 Tops together, hash out the budget, and get on with the governing.

If Rauner wants to whistle Madigan in and, in doing so, get agreement to getting the people’s work done, than Rauner Crew, do it, and don’t wait for the Goo-Goos to try it first, than try to hijack it for Rauner.

Do the doable. Enough.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:47 am
Mike Madigan unquestionably owns this. He rebuffed Rauner’s olive branches because he remains intent on war. Full stop.

If the lights go off, it is because of his decision on Tuesday. Until he backs down on the approps bill (which will look like another Rauner win since Madigan has now made this simple bill into a thing), Madigan owns this. His choice.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:52 am
When Rauner calls one of his cabinet meetings I wonder if any directors bring this stuff up. Nah. Bruce gives campaign speech #487 and leaves the room.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:53 am
This is a big win for freedom.Traffic lights make me stop my car when I want to keep going and let some taker go ahead of me. Rest areas shemst areas take away my freedom to keep behind the wheel or go where ever I want to go. Gov strikes another big win for freedom

Comment by freedom man Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:54 am
Rich, Please delete the Anon221 10:34am post. His links are really messing up this post. No offense Anon221, but those links are screwing up the view here.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:56 am
It is impossible to negotiate peace with a man who still wants war. Call all the meetings you care to. It makes no difference.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:57 am
Anonymous 10:52:

What olive branches?

Rauner retreated only because of the relentless pounding moderate Republicans were taking for kicking 80,000 kids out of day care.

Rauner didn’t release the hostages, he lost them.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 10:57 am
Anon221: Thanks so much for the links. Unless my lyin’ eyes deceive, there’s probably plenty of cash right now to pay the electric bill. However what else is coming due, and what’s the near-term cash balance forecast?

What I’d really like to hear, is Munger’s voice on where we stand overall, if there’s no budget agreement until late January. She needs to remain an independent voice. It’s her job.

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:02 am
Sorry PS- I didn’t know they would screw up the post that much. Rich, please delete those. If anyone wanted them by now, they could copy and paste.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:02 am
I think Pelonski @10:41 am is right.

While Madigan didn’t compromise on some items yesterday, this wasn’t one of them. And it is disappointing to see the Rauner press shop return to this tone after three days of governing.

Easy solution: pass a budget.

Easier solution: either Rauner or Madigan could choose to approve funds for utilities until a budget is passed.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:03 am
The Gov didn’t put a parliamentary hold on the bill. An MJM lieutenant did. Who’s in the way?
Couldn’t the Gov’s actions of the last several days be the springboard to more compromise and MAYBE EVEN a budget being finalized.
It doesn’t happen by returning what was certainly politically motivated positive actions into a political exercise that is a hindrance. They’re both political animals - but whose the obstacle? It’s MJM.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:05 am
Budget.

“Bud-Jit”

Budget.

Hostages taken by any actor in this do not, do NOT, take away what needs to happen.

“Bud-Jit”… budget. The stopping mechanism of the taking of hostages is a budget.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:11 am
There’s a brick on the bill that’d pay ‘em. Who owns the brick? The bricklayer is the owner of this one.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:13 am
Compromise.

no compromise = no budget

Compromise.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:15 am
So, we’re not concerned about the budget?

Gov. Rauner doesn’t want a budget, but does want, as his whim, either his hostages paid or released (paid) because Rauner can’t count to 60 and 30 or 71 and 36?

Would a budget solve these hostage-taking problems?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:17 am
We want a budget. The Speaker reacting favorably to the positive impacts of recent changes in stance by the Gov rather than pushing political bills and taking parliamentary actions to try and make sure the Gov gets no credit, could be a big step toward a budget.

Of course Rauner was politically motivated, So what? Everything MJM does is politically motivated.

Embrace the positive, seek a compromise, complete a budget, fight another day.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:24 am
===Of course Rauner was politically motivated, So what? Everything MJM does is politically motivated.===

Here lies the problem. Rauner’s retreat and Dunkin as the life raft was as good as it gets in the Caucus Politics game. Arguably the best move off a dime Rauner made.

The reality also is Rauner releasing his own hostages as a reward to himself, the end game needed tweaking.

===Embrace the positive, seek a compromise, complete a budget, fight another day.===

Totally agree. November 18th will show a lot.

The governor doesn’t think so, but I always hope.

Do the Doable. Budget. Rauner can be the governor at any time.

I hope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:31 am
To those who say Speaker Madigan “owns this”.
Please provide examples of how many times this kind of thing has happened under other Governors? If Madigan is the common denominator there should be plenty of examples.

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:37 am
==There’s a brick on the bill that’d pay ‘em.==

There is absolutely nothing in that legislation that would allow payment of this.

Go look for yourselves. It ain’t there.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/99/HB/PDF/09900HB4305eng.pdf

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:37 am
Rauner’s victim as has passed the point of being merely tiresome and now seems to be truly weird.

I mean, who runs for governor and then claims to be unable to perform the duties of the office??

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:42 am
They wont shut the power off to the traffic signals

Comment by Foster brooks Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:42 am
Brooks -Don’t bet the farm on the traffic signals. Power is lost all the time to traffic signals. The solution is to put up temporary stop signs until such time as the electricity is restored.

This wouldn’t have been a problem if the IDOT operations budget was approved. Instead the governor decided to veto it. This is on the governor pure and simple.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:50 am
Foster Brooks, they most certainly will.

Comment by ucster Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:52 am
Governor’s office: It’s Madigan and all the electrons he controls!

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Foster Brooks- They did in East St. Louis! I worked down there for a couple of weeks a few years back. Stop signs on sawbucks were there in lieu of the signals working, all because the city couldn’t afford to pay it’s bills.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Yes, Madigan is upping his portion of the contributory blame for the impasse, but this is bogus folks.

Demoralized is better informed than I, but these costs are generally paid from GRF operational lines. Up to now, all talks on a compromise bill have been on appropriating money that is coming from other funds. Rauner had steadfastly refused to add money to GRF lines because it would lead to an “unconstitutional unbalanced budget.”

The easy way of proving the point is getting a copy of the Rauner memo to see if it includes utility costs.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:20 pm
All municipalities should do this.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Vetoing everything but K-12 was the governor’s political strategy to “leverage” union-busting legislation.

This is a foreseeable consequence of that hostage strategy.

I agree that all should allow the governor to retreat from this reckless strategy wherever possible, as soon as possible.

But it was risky and irresponsible from the beginning. Bad things have happened, and more bad things still could.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:30 pm
++++ Demoralized - Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:37 am:

==There’s a brick on the bill that’d pay ‘em.==

There is absolutely nothing in that legislation that would allow payment of this.

Go look for yourselves. It ain’t there.+++

True Demo, but these guys are stretched so thin, mitigating other expenses may well help them cope with this better. There are more than a few who would tell you this.
But, I cede your very appropriate point.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Norseman - The items listed in the post would be paid out of the IDOT operations budget rather than the GRF.

The vast majority of the IDOT budget comes from MFT that we pay at the pump.

At the beginning of the summer, the IDOT capital budget to pay for construction was passed and quietly signed by the governor. The other 1/2 of the IDOT budget that pays for such minor things such as fuel, electricity and road salt come out of the operations budget.

The recent bricked bill that was passed by the House didn’t have anything for IDOT operations. That bill was releasing MFT funds to the local agencies that desperately need the money.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Huh?, thanks for the clarification.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:45 pm
i see the gov office idea of a okive branches is to extend them only as flaming brands used to ignite their own petards…. in the spirit of war and factionalism

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:09 pm
==mitigating other expenses may well help them cope with this better==

I’m not sure I’m following you as it relates to this particular issue. But frankly my brain is fried right now. I’m uncertain how this bill helps this power company mitigate anything as I don’t see how any of that money gets to them. If there’s some sort of indirect connection I don’t know about then maybe I’m wrong.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Here is a teachable movement. Government failure is a fact of life. Every other institution in society must pay its bills in a timely manner. An institution financed by coercion is bound to be corrupt and not trustworthy. For those readers out there that want government to have even more functions to do: this must be a sad day for your religious belief.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:42 pm
Qui T answers Edgar 2wice Blago once? BR has asked for a balanced budget they gave him one $5 bill short. So “the Cutsman Cometh” The Guv has said he would be for revenue enhancements in several areas. Fundamental changes to some programs/laws/rules for additional funding for others.

Comment by the Cardinal Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:52 pm
From the Trib:

“The Illinois Finance Authority board voted Thursday to withdraw $12 million from its $17 million bank account, money that could begin flowing as early as Friday to state vendors going without pay as a result of the state budget standoff. Board members also discussed issuing bonds — the agency could issue up to $115 million — for the same purpose as part of a plan developed in conjunction with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office.”

Somebody explain the legality of this move for me. We have money, but no approp authority. So it’s ok for the Finance Authority to be sending out without any legal basis.

Perhaps this is the implementation of his much maligned loan program?

If this is easy as it gets, why risk Finance Authority money. Let Rauner wealthy friends fork out the money on a no-interest loan basis.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:02 pm
== State receives utility shut-off notice, administration blames Madigan ==

The REAL shocker would be if ‘the administration’ correctly blamed themselves for the misery, grief and costs they alone have caused.

‘the administration’ loves to point the finger of blame; go look in the mirror when you point, folks.

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Norseman:

Finance Authority doesn’t need appropriations. They have locally held funds. Their activities aren’t appropriated.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Demoralized - I had the same question as Norseman. How is this legal? IFA is set up to support the issuance of bonds, not pay the day to day expenses of government. If IFA pays the electric bill, how are they going to get reimbursed for the cash they paid out?

Second question is - Is IFA really set up to write thousands of checks?

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:28 pm
You missed the point Demoralized. Do they have the authority to hand it out to folks for a broad array of reasons? I think not. This has to be some type of loan program for to be possible at all.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:46 pm
1,823,627 votes for Gov.Rauner to do the job.

Comment by No Sense Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 6:20 pm
More nonsense about the IFA?

Are the Frat Boys under the impression that they’re like the Federal Reserve, or the International Monetary Fund?

They’re not.

If the Frat Boys want to know what the IFA is all about, half of that crew is usually at the Goat underneath the Wrigley Building right about now.

Look for the big man with a beard and suspenders. He can straighten you out as to what they can do.

This is goofier than the IFA loan “plan.”

Who’s coming up this weirdness? It’s doesn’t make any sense.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 6:27 pm
I want a budget. A real honest to goodness balanced budget. One that incorporates cuts in spending with revenue increases that don’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the poor and middle class. 50-50. Nothing more, nothing less.. No kicking pension debt down road. Simple, not rocket science. EVERYBODY shares in cuts. I mean EVERYBODY.

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 7:22 pm
The governor’s sudden and unexpected retreat, and the fact that he’s trying to squeeze $12 million out of IFA, of all the weirdest places, to pay some vendors tomorrow (?!) leads me to believe that the state’s cash position is much worse than we thought.

A joint press conference by the comptroller and governor are in order, before the holidays, to give citizens a sober and true assessment of the situation going into winter.

We ain’t in Florida or Texas. We have to plan for winter up here.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 8:43 pm
been thrue several lawsuits involving IDOT traffic signals, i wouldnt bet your life those signals will go dark

Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 9:19 pm