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* It’ll take some time to compile and process all the stories, so in the meantime what are your initial thoughts on yesterday’s weirdness?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:41 am

Comments

By voting present on the veto override, Jack Franks again demonstrated why he couldn’t be nominated statewide as a Democrat. His only place to move is a local office. Speaking of consistency, Dunkin didn’t disappoint.

Comment by anon Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:44 am
Change the date and you could have the exact same article:

http://tinyurl.com/h7gunlh

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:46 am
One word: speakeresk

Comment by A modest proposal Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:47 am
Groundhog Day:

http://tinyurl.com/h7gunlh

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:48 am
Two can play the ridiculous demand game.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:48 am
It wasn’t that weird, I expected the Blues to lose.

Oh, you probably mean the House chamber. Well last year the leg passed a budget that was out of whack and gave the Governor the opportunity to negotiate on revenue, use reduction vetoes, enact the budget but not spend up to the full authorized amounts or veto the budget bills in their entirety. This year the leg is about to pass a budget that is out of whack giving the Governor the opportunity to negotiate on revenue, use reduction vetoes, enact the budget but not spend up to the full authorized amounts or veto the budget bill in its entirety. Can’t say you didn’t see this coming.

Are you shocked that this May will likely end the exact same way as last May? No, not really.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:49 am
Because for Madigan it is always about the political calculus. His actions illustrate most definitively the need for re-districting reform and sadly, term limits.

Comment by Nick Danger Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:50 am
Despite being the end of May, this feels like the start of a long, cold winter. Unicorns are more likely to show up at a Trader Joe’s in Springfield than a budget modified by amendatory veto by this Governor.

Comment by AC Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:50 am
Yesterday showed…

If you got 60 votes… Even weirdness gets passed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:50 am
Yesterday was weird?

Compared to the last 11 months?

Comment by South of Sherman Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:52 am
The GOP end game is total destruction followed by “rebuilding.” What are the Dems trying to do? I’m starting to wonder.

Madigan calls the arbitration bill w/out having the votes. He then pulls a budget out of his hat, leaving no time for digestion. Is this about no votes? Election fodder?

Comment by Politix Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:53 am
And get ready for a work stoppage in July. With likely expiration of the court order for state employees, the paychecks are going to stop.

I have to wonder if this isn’t MJM saving AFSCME from themselves by effectively forcing a lockout before the union can strike.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:53 am
Rauner’s disapproval at 57%.

Who thinks that continuing on the same path is going to lower that number?

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:54 am
Springfield Bad Opera. Sturm und drang, signifying nothing.

In the past, that might have been the prelude to a deal. But I doubt it this year. More squeezing the beast to come.

Wouldn’t it be swell though if the governor blew everyone’s minds and dropped a balanced budget proposal on the GA today?

He’s got the whiz kids with slide rulers and pocket protectors who know the numbers by now to do it.

Madigan can’t stop Rauner from doing so. The GA would have to deal with it.

What’s stopping Rauner from shakin’ up Springfield with a balanced budget proposal, as is his Constitutional duty?

As it stands, the governor should at least sign the social services band-aid approp. that passed with near unanimous approval in the GA.

Wasn’t that an example of bipartisan compromise and progress? What’s the holdup?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:54 am
Yesterday was also…

…a rerun, Madigan ran Approps, the Democrats will get it to Rauner’s desk, then Rauner will own the vetoes or the cuts (like the (gulp) Chicago Tribune wants) and the only difference is no safety hatch for K-12 and leaving higher education and social services out.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:59 am
I watched on Livestream and was ever-so-glad that I know how to read lips!

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 8:59 am
A balanced budget (a real one) will require revenue…who’s gonna be the first to dip his/her toe in the water?

Comment by Under Influenced Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:00 am
RNUG- are your sources strong on that AFSCME lockout intel? I did not know the court order expires for employee payment. Wow, okay now I’m in weird zone. I chocked yesterday up to failed government. Loving Jesus, there’s another moving part I’ve got to factor in. My flanograph is getting full.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:00 am
“Determine that the thing can and will be done and then . . . find the way.”
-Abraham Lincoln

Comment by illinoised Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:04 am
…and so many are still defending the Speaker for this pathway to utter chaos. The Gov has taken his lumps here, more than he deserves, but plenty justifiable. It would be fair, IF…there was anything close to a balance in thinking. Yesterday’s action was heretical. Even his own side wasn’t in on the scheme. Great. There is no accountability left.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:07 am
Seemed like the Speaker was just as focused on November as he was on the end of May. The vote list on the veto override was barely news (and even Dunkin’s incompetence was unremarkable), but made it more clear to Labor who’s against them.

To the budget, well, as OW said, 60+ will get your weird passed. But if Rauner is going to stand firm on his TA, he’ll have to own this veto, either in toto or through the AV. Butchers wear aprons for a reason.

Rauner and ILGOP can complain all they want, and they will, but expecting Madigan and HDems to work on his TA is like expecting the dogs to meow, then getting mad when they barks.

Comment by SinkingShip Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:07 am
So, is today the day the House passes the 5.5% personal income tax rate and a 7.7% corporate rate?

Comment by Fusion Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:08 am
One thing yesterday reminded me of the Rauner’s presser where he stated “big, long term gain”…

Rauner also made clear that he (Rauner) was t going to choose or make cuts. Rauner did his “two time” reinforcing…

… ” I won’t do it, no”…

So yesterday, for me, also made clear that Rauner’s passiveness, his continued lack or getting into the mix is now, after 14 months has reached a point that Madigan has a goal to drag Rauner into a “decision” mode.

The ILGOP, thru the Yaffe quote also made clear… #TaxHikeMike isn’t going away and a deal to have Rauner sign an agreed budget, bicameral and bipartisan, might still face Rauner turning on anyone.

Trust. Lots of trust still lacking.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:08 am
Nothing weird about it. It sets Rauner and the Republican side up for a fall. If you were, as the Democrats are, locked into a labor/union support position how else would you play the cards they have been dealt? What incentive would you have to fall on the sword? For the good of the state? They think they are already acting for the good of the state.

Comment by an independent Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:11 am
===So, is today the day the House passes the 5.5% personal income tax rate and a 7.7% corporate rate?===

No.

Yesterday wasn’t about accountability of action, but accountability to constituent needs. The color of buttons, and owning a position of hurt.

Plus, structured roll calls pass revenue with trustworthy governors. “Who” would be green right now on any revenue? The answer is no one.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:12 am
I’m desperate for Lisa Madigan to stop my pay. No strike, no lockout, problem hopefully solved in workers’ favor.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:12 am
The administration should drop a balanced budget on the legislature you would hear a collective gasp all the way down to Metropolis…

Comment by Gov Curley Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:13 am
There are three paths forward: a bipartisan budget, a partisan budget, or no budget.

No budget has been a disaster.

Rauner and the chamber killed bipartisan negotiations on worker’s compensation and hope for a bipartisan budget.

Democrats are going down the only road that is still open.

What did Sherlock Holes always say? When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the answer.

By giving the Rauner administration the option to line-item veto, Democrats are keeping the immediate possibility of a bipartisan budget agreement between all five leaders alive.

By giving GOP lawmakers the opportunity to vote to override the governor’s veto, Democrats are keeping the possibility of a bipartisan agreement among lawmakers alive.

Granted those two are improbable, but like Sherlock Holes says.

Most importantly, by including K-12 in the budget package, a veto of which would impact the families of 2.2 million children, and particularly their employers, Democrats are creating a very strong incentive for everyone to come to the table and reach a bipartisan agreement before the end of July.

There’s a reason Rauner flipped on the GOP a year ago, and a reason he has begged for a school budget to sign. It’s one hostage he actually doesn’t want. Now, unless they cut a deal, he is stuck with it.

Employers and parents alike ought to be deeply, deeply concerned.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:14 am
It’s gonna be a long, hot summer under the dome.

Rauner uses OODA loops, Madigan prefers frontal assault. Neither side can prevail on its own. They have to work together and it appears they are no closer to that today than they were a year ago.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:14 am
== So, is today the day the House passes the 5.5% personal income tax rate and a 7.7% corporate rate? ==

No. That doesn’t happen until Rauner begs for it AND commits x R votes by name to it.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:17 am
We are now about to enter the twilight zone.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:19 am
While driving in to work this morning, I noticed the sky turn very dark, almost black, over Springfield. I wondered if it was a harbinger of things to come for State government.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:20 am
Why I brought up Rauner not owning cuts is the reason Rauner will probably not propose a balanced budget now or the next 2 years.

Rauner refuses to own cuts. Rauner brought in Ardurin to make the cuts, the “Good Friday Massacre” turned into a retreat…

Rauner feels the Dems should raise taxes to pay for things or make cuts they, the Dems, will own and have the Raunerites be safe as Rauner plays passenger and signs that budget.

Dear Goodness Gracious who spends $30-40 million to be a governor to have their “hands tied” unless…

Labor is completely destroyed.

“And the penny drops”

Rauner wants nothing to do with the job until Labor, all of Labor, is destroyed.

Think on it, Rauner, even today, can care less if his own agencies are funded.

Whaa?

A governor puts pencil to paper to show priorities and missions for their agencies. Rauner won’t put pencil to paper to FUND his agencies.

How weird is that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:21 am
What a refreshin’ change it would be for Bruce Rauner to use is line item veto power. He could cut $3 billion in spendin’ so it is only $4 billion in the red like his originally introduced budget.

Legislators are passin’ a budget and the governor can act accordin’ly. What’s wrong with that?

Comment by Winnin' Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:22 am
exactly OW.

Comment by cdog Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:25 am
Yesterday’s big winner was Pat McCrory, Governor of North Carolina.

If Illinois slides into a second fiscal year without a budget it might create enough of a national headline that it will distract from the awful job Pat McCrory has been doing in North Carolina starts to not look as terrible.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:28 am
Completely and utterly unsurprising. Maybe the only surprising thing was that it was $7b in spending that the state doesn’t have instead of about $5b.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:30 am
“Rauner wants nothing to do with the job until Labor, all of Labor, is destroyed”

Think you’re overstating this OW. I know this has been your opinion for at least a year…maybe longer. But from my view point Rauner wants labor to have less influence over state and local spending. Not destruction. The two are not the same. Reduced influence, not obliteration.

With respect.

Comment by Nick Danger Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:31 am
== Maybe the only surprising thing was that it was $7b in spending that the state doesn’t have instead of about $5b. ==

It was more than $7B. Remember, it doesn’t include court ordered spending.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:33 am
- Nick Danger -

With respect,

Do I need to drag out the Sandack tweet?

Also, what governor refuses to fund their own agencies unless 1.4% and $500+ million of reforms are passed…

… or refuses to allow any bill to have GOP support when it comes to those “reforms” unless collective bargaining and prevailing wage are attached?

I’m not overstating, I’m giving the play-by-play.

Respectfully.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:37 am
@ Nick Danger

Whether there is a practical difference between what you call “reduced influence” and destruction is the crux of the issue. Just look at Wisconsin. Walker has been systematically dismantling union influence to the point of “destroying” their influence.

Union power is derived from influence, not existence.

Power struggles rarely rise and fall on the semantics game you’re playing.

Comment by SinkingShip Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:37 am
It’s been a strange 11 months. Yesterday was a huge surprise. Who knows what will happen next? Assuming the bill passes through the Senate, will Rauner just sit on it?

Comment by Belle Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:39 am
== Think you’re overstating this OW. I know this has been your opinion for at least a year…maybe longer. But from my view point Rauner wants labor to have less influence over state and local spending. Not destruction. The two are not the same. Reduced influence, not obliteration. ==

The actions Rauner wants will destroy unions over time. If he was serious about just reducing influence, he would hold a hard line on salaries and benefits while not fighting for outsourcing and the State no longer collecting union dues via payroll deduction. Take away the benefits of being a union member, and you can reduce the union and it’s influence. You also need educe the union’s leverage by treating the non-union / MC people better than the union workers. Anyone see that happening?

Nope. Rauner is out to destroy all state workers, including the unions.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:40 am
OW, with respect, that’s why I think the Governor doesn’t “need” revenue, or need “his” agencies to function. His actions suggest he doesn’t care about those things.

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:42 am
(an acknowledging nod to - RNUG -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:43 am
Confirms that this state will never improve until Mike Madigan leaves the scene.

Comment by IMissIke Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:45 am
I think Rauner should try to work with the reforms that are doable now. Illinois is being harmed tremendously by not having a budget. Illinois doesn’t need greater reforms than are possible right now.

In politics a longer game sometimes has to be played, as we see with the attempts to expand MMJ, put a progressive income tax on the ballot and other policies. It took two attempts to enact marriage equality, which some saw as vitally important.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:45 am
- Keyrock -

Rauner may indeed think he doesn’t, but to gain seats, and to show achievement, not activity, the Raunerites in the GA, and those around him helping him avoid Wile E. Coyote know Rauner needs those things.

Otherwise, the politics at play fall, even with $20 million.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:46 am
- IMissIke -

I have a whole “Fire Madigan” catalog I can send you. Shirts, hats, scarfs, key rings…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:47 am
===At today’s leadership meeting, the Governor and the remaining leaders should call a few burley state troopers to physically throw out that petulant child named Madigan and let him play one in his personal kiddie sandbox. One “shock and awe” move deserves an appropriate response.===

Your unbiased opinion now includes “burly” troopers to inflict physical… physicality?

People use words all the time.

You advocate physicality?

Speaks volumes - Louis G Atsaves -, good to know.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:53 am
-I have to wonder if this isn’t MJM saving AFSCME from themselves by effectively forcing a lockout before the union can strike- RNUG

I think Oswego Willy and RNUG are both on the right track. Rauner wants labor at least crippled, if he can not outright destroy it.

Madigan sending that budget through is a win win for the Democrats. They can say that they’re trying to pass something, but Rauner is the problem. That budget took a lot of the press off of the failure to pass HB580, and Rauner is reacting to pressure, not creating it. If this budget starts the ball rolling to a solution great for MJM if not still great for MJM because once again they can say it’s Rauner’s fault.

Once again Rauner will be forced to own this fiasco and the GA Republicans will have to share the failure to fund schools and social programs.

Comment by Kozmik Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:03 am
RNUG @ 9:40 am +1

Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:10 am
Hyperbole much RNUG ?

Public sector unions DO have too much influence over the governments they work for - the Illinois AFL-CIO president’s comments earlier this week are a perfect example.

They aren’t elected officials or appointed officers, they are employees paid to do a job. They should be treated fairly based on state and federal law, experience, performance, and to a certain extent, time served. Some have important jobs, most are paper pushers whose only purpose is to satisfy requirements tied to laws passed by the GA - pretty sweet deal, isn’t it ? More government programs = more state employees = more union members = more democrat voters and the cycle continues. I can see why Madigan is so afraid of them - can’t be killin’ that cash cow.

Comment by DGD Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:15 am
=At today’s leadership meeting, the Governor and the remaining leaders should call a few burley state troopers to physically throw out that petulant child named Madigan and let him play one in his personal kiddie sandbox. One “shock and awe” move deserves an appropriate response.=

I cannot out think you so I will get some of the bigger kids to physically hurt you?

WHO is being the petulant child now?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:17 am
Oh - DGD -

Agreed to legislation isn’t new, and is probably the only way things are going to get passed given the atmosphere, but…

… if it makes you feel better to bash Labor, have at it!

===I cannot out think you so I will get some of the bigger kids to physically hurt you?===

Yeah… - Louis G Atsaves -… not a good… image he’s advocating.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:20 am
We may not have a budget during this Governor’s administration.

Comment by Stones Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:21 am
RNUG at 9:40

Point well made. This isn’t just about Unions, this is about the entire State’s labor force Union or Non-Union.

Comment by Stones Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:24 am
===Stones - Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:24 am:

RNUG at 9:40

Point well made. This isn’t just about Unions,===

Yes it is. Has always been. C’mon man.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:31 am
=I have to wonder if this isn’t MJM saving AFSCME from themselves by effectively forcing a lockout before the union can strike.=

It might save them from the bad PR of a strike. But when they do return to work it will still be under Rauner’s new terms.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:38 am
Oh - A Guy -… LOL!

===RNUG at 9:40

Point well made. This isn’t just about Unions,===

Yes it is. Has always been. C’mon man.====

From - RNUG -

===Nope. Rauner is out to destroy all state workers, including the unions.===

Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:42 am
DGD, same can be said about wealthy individuals like Ken Griffin and most/all large corporations. If you want all money out of politics, fine. But you can’t pick and choose whose money is okay, and whose money isn’t.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:46 am
Just the world against all state workers. That’s all it is. Yep. Delusional dude. We aren’t too far from everyone becoming more aware and more sick of this. Keep betting on that pair of fours.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:46 am
RNUG- I hadn’t thought about your point with ALL state employees, with the exception of some upper management. I can confirm that. Anyone that was a holdover from the previous administration and even some new hires are treated with disdain by those within the “fold” of Rauners love. Only when there is use for someone are they noticed.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:50 am
===Just the world against all state workers.===

Nah. Keep up, - A Guy -

It’s Rauner… not the world… Against…

Union state workers
Non-Union state workers
Teachers
Union Trade Workers
Social Service Groups (Ounce is suing Bruce… )
Social Service Advocates and Clients…

Nah, not the world.

Just Rauner. Rauner against those groups and “taxpayers”….

… while his wife’s group sues him.

“Questions?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:57 am
RNUG and OW, I’m not understanding a really important point (OW- I hope your “ugh” yesterday and my subsequent ignoring of your advice will not prevent you from responding. I felt I had to say what I did to bolster myself and my folks. You are right. Under promise, over perform. Sometimes though you’ve got to pull the dagger out and lick the blade in public.)

But to my question. How does this force a lockout? So much has happened that I am befuddled.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 10:57 am
= How does this force a lockout?=

No paychecks for employees shuts down the state workforce without the union striking.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 11:05 am
Thank you Robert the 1rst

I wouldn’t call it a lockout though. We’re not being locked out as opposed to not showing up without being paid. I’m sure the doors will be open for those who want to come to work. The poor merit comp folks and management are going to get pressured to show up.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 11:24 am
Yep Willy. You’ve made the point more crystal clear than ever…

The state of Illinois exists principally,if not solely for the purpose of being a very large employee owned and operated employment agency. Nothing else matters.

Except the customers are unhappy. You know, all but the few who this ridiculous fight is about.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 12:02 pm
===The state of Illinois exists principally,if not solely for the purpose of being a very large employee owned and operated employment agency. Nothing else matters.===

… IPI thanks you for the hyperbole.

===Except the customers are unhappy. You know, all but the few who this ridiculous fight is about.===

They should be referred to Rep. Ron Sandack’s September 28, 2015 tweet… Rep. Sandack is frustrated too.

I guess you don’t like state workers, all state workers, too.

Ok, good to know.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 12:06 pm
Let’s ask the ghost of Dick Ogilvie what he thinks is going on…

Ah, people want to get the credit for spending, but they want the other guy to wear the shirt for the taxes. Got it.

Comment by Harry Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 12:20 pm
-Honeybear-

I thought the order only applied to FY16 salaries. I’m too busy to check now. I’ll have to find and re-read it tonight.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 12:42 pm
== Hyperbole much RNUG ? ==

No. I think my track record shows I’m generally in the middle … and often pretty accurate.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 12:51 pm
The court orders for employee pay and Medicaid payments both expire June 30. Expect the Medicaid order to be extended, the employee pay order maybe not. Will depend on whose advantage extending the pay order serves.

Comment by LTSW Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 1:01 pm
- Honeybear -, et al,

The State is planning for a strike or union employee work stoppage. You can take that to the bank.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 1:14 pm
A very LOUD message that budget comes first. Waste another year demanding agenda items with no chance of passage and this is what we’ll do.

Comment by Sense of a Goose Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 1:28 pm
RNUG thanks. yeah, that check was already deposited. You think as early as July? That would mean the ILRB would come earlier than I thought. I was expecting September.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Staff are being told they have to come to work even if they don’t get paid. How they said that with a straight face I don’t know.

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 2:49 pm
===I guess you don’t like state workers, all state workers, too.

Ok, good to know.====

You’ve concluded this^^^.
Very silly. And profoundly not true. On your field there are two end zones…and no field in between. Not me. In fact, I guess you’re sure every state worker is with you on this. That too, is good to know.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:56 pm
- A Guy -

You say…

The world is against state workers.

You’re part of the world.

I can’t help what you say…

Why would you say the world is against state workers?

I’m mocking you. Even in my Charlie Brown teachers voice you seem to have gotten that, lol…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 4:05 pm
===On your field there are two end zones…and no field in between. Not me.===

Now who is assuming.

How about you get back to addressing…

===Now your argument is just flat-out dishonest. No surprise given your defense of the most undemocratic process witnessed yesterday.===

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 4:11 pm
- Honeybear -

I’m guessing no paychecks for work after June 30 because no budget and no extension on the court order.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 5:21 pm
- RNUG - Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 5:21 pm:

- Honeybear -

I’m guessing no paychecks for work after June 30 because no budget and no extension on the court order.

I hope you’re both right. It would be great to lump merit comps in with union workers and resolve this without a union strike or lockout of only union workers.I’m pretty sure federal law says you can’t make someone work for no pay. I’m not sure their “promise to pay later” would hold up in court.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 7:09 pm
June 30 is when the active collapse of the State workforce begins. It’s also when the collapse of Southern Illinois begins. In many towns the state is the largest employer. Restaurants, shops, Mainstreet will crumble. My God are we going to learn a hard lesson.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 27, 16 @ 6:48 am