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Social service groups, including Mrs. Rauner’s, file motion for “emergency relief”

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* From an e-mail…

Hello Rich,

On behalf of by Pay Now Illinois, the coalition of 82 – newly increased from 64 – human and social service agencies suing Gov. Rauner and seven state agency heads, I want to make sure you are aware of two new important court filings today, following the initial lawsuit filed May 4. The two filings and release are attached and additional information can be found at: paynowillinois.org.

Highlights:

· Today the plaintiffs filed a motion seeking emergency relief that would require the state to begin immediate payment on contracts that are more than 60 days in arrears, an amount estimated to be $100 million. The total owed to the plaintiffs for 11 months of unpaid work exceeds $130 million. The motion argues that the case represents a “public emergency,” human and social service agencies are facing a cascade of damages – laying off staff, reducing or eliminating essential programs, or shutting down entirely.

· Also today, Pay Now Illinois filed an amended complaint adding 18 new human and social service agencies plaintiffs to the original suit, and two new defendants: Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger and Audra Hamernick, Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

We are happy to set up interviews with two members of the Pay Now Coalition, who are plaintiffs in the suit: Andrea Durbin, CEO of Illinois Collaboration on Youth, and Nancy Ronquillo, President & CEO of Children’s Home + Aid.

Many thanks,
Rick

The new motion is here. The full press release is here.

…Adding… Ounce of Protection, run by Mrs. Rauner, is one of the groups that jumped aboard the lawsuit. Ounce is owed millions. Interesting.

* Related…

* Voice of The Southern: Gov. Rauner, sign SB2038: A $700 million human services “stopgap” appropriations bill – Senate Bill 2038 – passed both houses of the legislature last week with broad bi-partisan support. Our Republican senator, Dave Luechtefeld, and our Democratic senator, Gary Forby, were sponsors of the bill. It passed in the House by a 111-0 vote and passed the Senate by a 56-0 vote. It was sent to the governor’s desk on Wednesday, where it continues to sit. We urge the governor to sign SB2038 bright and early tomorrow morning.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:04 am

Comments

Awkward BBQ this weekend.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:12 am
I guess ha big no social agenda at the cost of over $7 million to Ounce was a price too high to pay?

So I’m clear, the President of Ounce did a 7-figure Ad and Ad buy saying a candidate the President vouched for is now suing the now successful candidate for causing “havoc” (hey Rep. Sandack!) to the group that President runs?

Ounce of Prevention,

“Lesson learned”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:13 am
I bet I know who gets the master suite in the mansion.

Comment by Casual observer Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:23 am
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 2, Episode 30

Bruce starts visiting schools, tries to figure out how to avoid the union teachers. Diana meets with legal counsel at work, finds a “contribution” card made out for $7 million with Bruce’s name on it on her chair. Lance tweets pictures of the medical marijuana bill unsigned to Rep. Lang. Goldberg writes a letter to the Budgeteers, “ck” sends an email touting all the groups not suing Bruce. Comedy, 67 Minutes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:25 am
Hi honey, what’s for dinner?

Bruce, sit down, there us something I have to tell you. Ounce of prevention just joined the social services lawsuit because the State owes them millionsof dollars.

Oh. I thought you wanted to talk about something that is serious.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:27 am
Mrs. R: Honey, did you transfer the money so I can write the check to pay the mortgage and car insurance this month?

Mr. R: Not until you lose 30 pounds, Dear.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:33 am
“Ounce of Protection, run by Mrs. Rauner, is one of the groups that jumped aboard the lawsuit.”

This could only happen in the bizarre world of Bruce Rauner.

“Diana it’s that MADIGAN and the Democrats he controls…” - Fake Rauner

Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:39 am
I’m not kidding in the least when I say the comments I most look forward to finding on this blog are Oswego Willy’s Dad’s Home State synopses. They should be collected somewhere.

Comment by The Drummer Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:45 am
Actions speak louder than words. Or so they say.

Comment by Bleh Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:46 am
@OW, sounds like a great episode….can’t wait to watch it!
@Huh-unfortunate truth.

Comment by Flynn's mom Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:47 am
How about paying the doctors and dentists who want full payment in advance from state employees and retirees in SERS, TRS, and SURS? Maybe they can join the lawsuit.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:47 am
DuPage, or they could file their own. I don’t understand why more have not taken this step.

Comment by Pawn Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:50 am
- The Drummer -, thank you, that’s really kind.

- Flynn’s Mom - I think Goldberg writing the letter to the budgeteers really steals the whole episode, but I’m biased.

To the Post,

That’s 82 Social Servive groups calling Bruce Rauner and his Administration “deadbeats”… Including Ounce.

That part, nothing is funny about that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:52 am
I miss the good old days when conservatives believed contracts were sacrosanct and that bills should be paid, not evaded.

Comment by anon Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:01 pm
@OW-I agree!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:13 pm
pointless lawsuits barred by law. wasteing a lot if money in the wrong court. even if the trial court lets them run yp attorney fees at its level, the supreme court has to dismiss it.

what a waste of time and money. hope they have a competent lawyer who filed with the court of claims at least.
(705 ILCS 505/8) (b) makes the court of claims the exclusive jurisidiction for contract claims against the State. claims that would otherwsie be barred by soveriegn immunity

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:16 pm
How about paying the DNR employees who worked in 2011 & 2012 the back wages due from the contract that were somehow not appropriated! I’m retired now and still waiting so sad!!!

Comment by Ex state employee Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:21 pm
First, I know this is wishful thinking and/or idealism, but really, why focus on one plaintiff? In this instance, The Ounce, but only because of its leader’s The fact that the Ounce joined the suit demonstrates that this is not political. As providers have been saying Ad nauseam, this isn’t about one agency, one CEO or ED. It’s about businesses. CEO/EDs answer to boards of directors. A decision to join this court action isn’t make hastily or unilaterally. Agencies who join suits as plaintiffs show that they have responsible Boards with members who understand what it means to fulfill their fiduciary duties. Good for the Ounce for valuing their mission over politics.

Comment by Unbelievable Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:25 pm
Ghost, read the complaint. There is no remedy or clear remedy in Court of Claims. The lawsuit is not barred by law. The complaint is clearly worded to address this issue.

Comment by Pawn Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:31 pm
pawn read the complaint. now go read some of the case law. start with the judy barr topinka suit which pretty much clarifys that yah cant spin a contract claim to avoid the law. Whishf thinking and brinksmanship cant get around clear law and precedent.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Contracts aren’t exactly sacrosanct. “Efficient breach” of a contract is just fine.

Efficient breach involves breaking a promise and paying a penalty for doing so, in order to achieve a better result overall.

Gov. Rauner is in willful breech.
But he hasn’t paid any penalties.
And he hasn’t explained any efficiencies.

I’ve never heard of “wildly inefficient breach.” Maybe they only teach it at Harvard Business School.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:51 pm
Social service othismos, nice. PUSH!!!!!!!!! All together now!!!!!!

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:02 pm
@anon 12:01pm. My feelings exactly. Also, a major reason I’m one of OW’s 2/5 that voted less for Rauner than against PQ. I won’t be again. Republican or Democrat, honest leaders keep their word, pay the bills and don’t try to buy votes with other people’s money. PQ was 0/3. So far BR is 0/2 with one yet to be decided. I hope that State Republicans recognize what’s at stake in allowing this to continue. It’s a lot more than any hypothetical second term for Rauner.

Comment by Expletivedeleted Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:06 pm
OW — Seriously, you should set up a Dads Home State twitter feed and do it as a serial.

#QuaxelrodLives

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:29 pm
- Soccermom -

I’d be lyin’ if I said I hadn’t thought at least once about DHS spreading its wings, but…

… it belongs here. If anything, it’s a byproduct I gladly and openly share here. I’m really flattered how it’s received, but that’s solely because this forum allows it. I never forget that.

I miss reading you here - Soccermom - I truly hope you’re just busy. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:48 pm
Maybe we can Willy write a few episodes and have IIS film some episodes and see if we can sell it for a few on Internet and put the money into a fund to payback these providers. Of course, we’ll need to find a way to pay Willy for his skills. He’s not gullible and will not accept a Rauner IOU.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:52 pm
- Norseman -

As you know a “team”, a “room full of writers”, writes the episodes as they are captured… in real time… following Bruce … “and the whole gang”.

It would be fun to put an episode or 5 to some video…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 2:09 pm
Looks like Rauner is not ready to release his hostages.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:24 pm
== How about paying the doctors and dentists who want full payment in advance from state employees and retirees in SERS, TRS, and SURS? ==

If the doctors, hospitals, etc. signed an agreement with either the insurance companies or the State to provide services, they can not legally require you to pay in advance. Non-payment is between the service provider and the insurance company.

I know people who have threatened to sue the provider; they back down quickly once the legal facts of failure to deliver under the contract is explained to them …

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:00 pm
== or they could file their own. I don’t understand why more have not taken this step. ==

Because their contract is with the insurance company(s) and not the State.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:02 pm