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What passes for progress these days

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Illinois

* Among other things, SB 777 would allow Chicago to reamortize its police and firefighter pension debt to lower the next payment by $200 million. The governor has been against the bill. Now, he’s for it. But only after he gets his Turnaround Agenda passed…

In a statement, Deputy Chief of Staff Mike Schrimpf says the governor “would sign SB 777 as part of a larger package of structural reform bills.”

In other words, the bill will get signed–when and if Rauner and legislative leaders reach a deal on a new state budget that includes some of the pro-business and related “structural changes” that the governor wants.

That statement raised some eyebrows in the office of Senate President John Cullerton, who backs the bill but has held back from sending it to the governor for fear of a veto. “The Senate president is encouraged by the development,” his spokeswoman said in a statement.

So is City Hall. As one top Springfield insider put it, “This is a very positive movement toward the bill when you look at (Rauner’s) previous statements.”

So, the bill has been moved from one pile (no way) to another pile (OK, but only after TA is passed).

I guess that’s kinda similar to progress.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:34 pm

Comments

Just another hostage.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:39 pm
– pro-business and “structural reforms” the governor says he wants–

It would be helpful, if at least once in a while, the media would actually be specific as to what those words mean.

They’re so vague as to be meaningless.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:40 pm
===In a statement, Deputy Chief of Staff Mike Schrimpf says the governor “would sign SB 777 as part of a larger package of structural reform bills.”===

Willfully hurting so Unions lose collective bargaining and prevailing wage.

Spin it all they want, it’s “progress” that putting hostages in the “possible” pile in hopes caving can occur.

Willfully hurting… That is equal to;

===In a statement, Deputy Chief of Staff Mike Schrimpf says the governor “would sign SB 777 as part of a larger package of structural reform bills.”===

“I will hurt “X” because I can, and I will continue to hurt “X” until everyone breaks”

Not the way to run a railroad, but it’s progress…no snark… that more options are out there for Cullerton and other to “surrender”(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Saying this progress is lot like saying Ronnie Gold almost won the game….neither is happening
Those Superstars are a hoot

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:45 pm
Fool me once…shame on me…fool me twice….
Oh, wait…
Another empty promise. I would use a much more definitive verb to describe the gov’s behavior, but, maybe another day

Comment by northernwatersports Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:46 pm
More of the same.

Comment by Stones Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:47 pm
I guess that’s kinda similar to progress.

“Good news! You’re no longer dying from that gunshot wound! You’re now dying from sepsis!”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:02 pm
But only after he gets his Turnaround Agenda passed…

Totally Screwed Up From The Start - Groff, enhanced by VanillaMan (Total Eclipse of the Heart)

Turn around,
All I want is a balanced budget, a little reform and a fresh start in this town

Turn around,
It seems that corrupted politicians give everythin’ I do a big old thumbs down

Turn around,
Every now and then I get a little bit tired of these people that I bought as friends

Turn around,
Every now and then I get a little bit tired of people asking when this stalemate will end

Turn around agenda,
Its a cure for all of our ailments

Turn around agenda,
As soon as it passes, we’ll have governments

And we need it passed tonight
And we need it more than ever
And that is why I fight
You’ll be free and impoverished forever
There’s no other way to make it right
And I’m not really that clever

Shaking up Springfield is one of my jobs
Its filled with corrupted Madigan slobs

I never read the news, Rich Miller’s a shrill
But did you hear that I’m big in Libertyville
I need to win this fight
If you really want a budget tonight
If you do, I promise I won’t bite

Once upon a time people listened to me
Now it seems they don’t like what they see
I don’t enjoy the chaos I spawn, but
I don’t mind if your pain is prolonged

Once upon a time I was your White Knight
But now you’re forcing out my spite
This is the office that I bought, so -
You’ll do what I say, like it or not

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:12 pm
2039 is unanimous. More ==progress==.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:26 pm
So he expects Rahm to sell out all the other Chicago employees for the police? His timing is impeccable. (Wait - do I need to look up that word?)

Comment by Anon. Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:31 pm
== wordslinger - Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:40 pm:==
Word, you are right on the mark! Reporters need to inform the uninformed public as to what Rauner’s “pro-business” and “structural reforms” actually means, & how his Turnaround Agenda does more harm than good.

Comment by Mama Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:47 pm
Maybe the city should default on the police pension debt. In light of recent events, I am not sure it is justifiable to provide gold plated pensions to cops retiring in their forties.

Comment by tberry Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:21 pm
- tberry -

The city may legally default on paying into the Chicago Police pension fund but, according to the IL SC rulings to date since 1970 (when the Pension Clause was added to the IL Constitution), the city will STILL BE RESPONSIBLE to make the actual pension payments to the retirees when due.

The IL SC has been consistent; to paraphrase: fund it however you want but make sure the pensions get paid on time.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 4:44 pm