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* Tribune…
The Illinois House and Senate on Thursday approved a stopgap budget that would keep state government afloat for six months, ensure schools open this fall and provide help to struggling Chicago Public Schools after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly struck a deal amid intense political pressure with the November election looming.
The overwhelming votes followed two days of closed-door negotiations, the first meaningful round of give-and-take on the budget as the state was about to enter a second straight year without a full spending plan come Friday.
Without a temporary budget in place, schools faced the possibility of not opening this fall, thousands of construction workers could spend the summer off the job, and the state’s unraveling network of social service programs faced further decimation.
“I suspect the reality is everybody wanted to get someplace and get us on the road to solving these problems. So I think the governor was very anxious to have a program in place to fund public education, so was everybody else,” said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat and top lieutenant of House Speaker Michael Madigan. “So I think there was pressure everywhere you looked to do something, and I think this is that something.”
* Sun-Times…
But amidst the back-patting and words of compromise, House Speaker Mike Madigan couldn’t resist taking a shot at the Republican governor.
After the stopgap budget passed his chamber 105-4, Madigan said that problem with passing budgets has been Rauner’s insistence on including “his personal agenda that hurts families.”
“Many previous efforts to implement a more comprehensive budget failed due to the governor’s insistence on the inclusion of his agenda that would drive down middle class wages and standards of living,” Madigan said.
“The difference today is that the governor has dropped his demand that his agenda be considered before a budget could be approved.”
* AP…
Republican House Leader Jim Durkin said it would’ve been “atrocious” and likely spur a public revolt if lawmakers finished another fiscal year without a budget. He noted that even with the compromise, the ongoing budget standoff between Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature will be an election-year issue.
“Mark my word that it will be articulated in the fall by various entities,” he said.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rep. Kelly Cassidy had a pretty good constituent update, so I’m going to use it here…
This week we returned to Springfield and today passed a package of bills representing a compromise with the Governor and Republicans on a stop-gap budget for fiscal year ‘16 and the first six months of fiscal year ‘17. Most significantly there are no turn-around agenda items included in these bills and State operations will continue. Here is a summary of what is included:
K-12 Education:
Increases General State Aid by $361 million
Equity Grant to assist high poverty schools
$75 million increase to early childhood education
Full year of funding for fiscal year ‘17Higher Education
$1 billion in funding for universities, community colleges, MAP Grants, adult education, career & technical education, Illinois Math & Science academy operations
Covers FY ‘16 & first half of FY ‘17
Developed by members of the budget working groupHuman Services
Includes $667 million in funds from the Commitment to Human Services Fund for programs not currently operating under court order
Covers 65% of full funding for the 18 month period
Includes programs that were suspended, such as immigration services, autism programs, Teen Reach & other youth programs.Agency Operations
Funded from the Budget Stabilization Fund ($275 million), General Revenue Funds ( $448 million) and Commitment to Human Services Fund ($31 million) for operational expenses. These amounts will pay for expenses such as utilities, FOID, medical care, gas, etc.
Capital
The bills include appropriations for IDOT projects, EPA projects and other development projects that have had to shut down mid-construction
Other State Funds
Includes items such as federal funds for the Area Agencies on Aging, LUST fund reimbursements, emergency response appropriations and other similar programs
These items are funded using existing funds only. We remain far short of what is needed for full operations and we will need to address our revenue short-fall before the end of the first six months of this fiscal year. Agencies that have gone without payments or contracts while providing services should expect to begin receiving payments under this plan.
Other items addressed today:
SB2822 Chicago Pension Parity - This bill will establish a one year (FY ‘17) requirement that the State make a contribution of $205 million to the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, creating parity with downstate and suburban teacher pension funds.
SB 318 Chicago Property Tax Increase for Teachers Pension Fund - This bill would re-establish an annual property tax levy for the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund. This levy would be capped at a rate of 0.383%, which is estimated to generate $250 million. The proceeds of the tax would be paid directly to the pension fund. The additional tax rate would not be subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (the tax cap).
While today’s actions represent real progress, my wish would have been for us to have passed a full budget with sufficient revenues to operate for a full year. I will continue to advocate for a truly responsible solution to restore stability and fiscal health to the State.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Illinois State Board of Education has run the numbers for the GSA funding formula increase. Click here to see the list by district.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Oy…
Just after stopgap state budget approved, Moody's downgrades NIU, SIU, EIU, Governor's State, & NEIU
— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) June 30, 2016
The ratings are here.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:20 pm
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“The difference today is that the governor has dropped his demand that his agenda be considered before a budget could be approved.” Words spoken by MJM after the budget deal…..says it all!
Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:24 pm
I’m just so thankful something got done. So very grateful. However, this Fall’s elections will have a lot at stake. Voters will really need to vote accordingly.
Comment by NSideLady Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:26 pm
This is probably the first time in Rauner’s life that he had to negotiate a deal as an equal and not as the dominate force at the table. I hope he has learned from this process over the last 18 months.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:27 pm
Does anyone have an idea about what the “gives” and “takes” were?
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:29 pm
I hope Rauner considers this “Bridge to Reform” (his words) a win.
He did not include Madigan in his thanks to Democratic leaders.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Roads will be built
Hard to see laying out facts as “takin’ a shot”
And I guess the GOPie robocalls are…..?
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Does the Gov. own a tie, or is part of the droppin’ Gs also droppin’ the tie?
Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:36 pm
“This is probably the first time in Rauner’s life that he had to negotiate a deal as an equal and not as the dominate force at the table. I hope he has learned from this process over the last 18 months.”
Au Contraire–I think it is the first time in a long, long time that MADIGAN has had to deal with an equal
Comment by BIG R. Ph. Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:36 pm
There you go Brucie……Drop some of the absurdity of the “Turnaround Agenda”, and some things can get done, and quickly. Hope you have learned to listen at least a little bit.
Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:36 pm
Madigan Translation: In order to pass a budget for a failed state that is constantly facing a financial crisis, we must continue to operate under business as usual.
It is unfortunate that Madigan does not understand that some of “Rauner’s personal agenda” is a jobs agenda and a way out of the constant mess that Madigan helped create.
Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:41 pm
==Mark my word that it will be articulated in the fall by various entities,” he said.==
That Durkin. Quippy quotable Quotes just shoot out of him like laser bolts.
Comment by Touré's Latte Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:49 pm
Ding dong.
The Turnaround Agenda is dead.
Madigan wins again. Pretty fascinating, actually.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:49 pm
Now we can breathe easy for at least six months. A relaxed voter is a happy voter. See you at the polling booth.
Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Votes need to remember that raising taxes and not reforming workers compensation when Illinois is one of the highest taxed states in the country destroys the middle class. This hurts the middle class as jobs are not being created and are eliminated or sent to other states or countries. Unions and Mike Madigan need to take notice.
Comment by Dandy Edward Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Btw — hey Sandack: was it worth it?
And Radogno: the herd’s thinned. Now what?
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:52 pm
“It is unfortunate that Madigan does not understand that some of “Rauner’s personal agenda” is a jobs agenda and a way out of the constant mess that Madigan helped create.”
More details needed…
Comment by Ole' Nelson Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:52 pm
How much is the total appropriation for the stopgap budget? I don’t think pension reform is dead
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:54 pm
Ahoy - Since the Gov’s people have never provided any numbers perhaps you can. How many jobs will Bruce’s “jobs agenda” create? 100,000? 50,000? 12?
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:55 pm
I haven’t analyzed exactly what it means for human services providers, and 65% is better than 0%, but we ain’t outta the woods yet.
Comment by CCP Hostage Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:55 pm
@- Anon - Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:49 pm:
Ding dong. “The Turnaround Agenda is dead”
Actually, the Runaground Agenda was stillborn, never actually alive. Except in the fanciful imagination of one Bruce Rauner.
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:56 pm
@Dandy Got a dollar amount to go with your joke of an assertion? See ya at the polls! You’re about to be trounced, or should I say Trumped, at the polls.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 4:58 pm
Kicked the old can down the road again, didn’t they?
Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:03 pm
This isn’t a “budget”, this isn’t “balanced” (with concurrent revenues), and it’s simply not true that it is the “first balanced” anything “in many years.”
All that spin has to be disregarded if we are to get realistic perspective on this.
This is as good a temporary stopgap as we could get today. Neither side could take the heat of causing the delay of schools opening.
It is a sign of progress, but not necessarily a sign that most of the TA items will eventually be achieved.
Rauner’s final word was that he would not accept any tax increases without major reforms. That is unchanged. We shall see how fulsome that position is by year end.
Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:04 pm
Sometime after 5, I will raise a cold glass in salute!
A salute to both sides who were able to set aside their selves, and think of other people and things first.
A salute to the future and the hope of an always improving Illinois, the Land of Lincoln.
A salute to Mr. Miller and all the reporters, writers, and editors, who have kept us all so well informed during this madness!
CHEERS!
Comment by cdog Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:04 pm
Done and done…for now.
Comment by Enviro Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:06 pm
@gruntled, you are joking, right? Rauner has likely forgotten more about negotiations the last 15 minutes than you know
Comment by Warthog Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:08 pm
–This isn’t a “budget”, this isn’t “balanced” (with concurrent revenues), and it’s simply not true that it is the “first balanced” anything “in many years.”–
Absolutely.
Let’s see GOMB back up those statements. Let’s see the hard numbers, including projected consent decree spending.
Then we’ll know what the real situation will be come January.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:11 pm
So we learn the obvious truth: Budget crisis creates human suffering, but very little leverage for any one side, and certainly no opportunity for change that does not have legislative support.
I am encouraged by what looked like a glimmer of fear for the electorate if they got to Jul 1 with no budget. Kudos to the front-page editorials.
Comment by peon Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:13 pm
Was any appropriation included for employee healthcare?
Comment by Healthcare? Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:21 pm
So, to recap;
Funding for Illinois now passed… after 16 months. The purposeful decimation of social services ruined groups and lives.
No Turnaround Agenda, but frustration continues because reforming Illinois is too important… unless schools don’t open.
Rauner winning?
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:22 pm
Wow, Rich. I guess you can only stand a certain amount of truth
Comment by Slide Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:31 pm
And BTW, Rauner: The low point is not the passage of the stopgap. The low point — for you, especially — is the Moody’s downgrade.
That’s all on you, Rauner. All on you.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:32 pm
=== Just after stopgap state budget approved, Moody’s downgrades NIU, SIU, EIU, Governor’s State and NEIU. ===
Moody’s reaction to this stopgap. Sigh
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:33 pm
–Just after stopgap state budget approved, Moody’s downgrades NIU, SIU, EIU, Governor’s State, & NEIU–
Where did those schools land with the deal for end of FY16 compared to FY15? I believe they were at about 30% prior.
Now, they only can count on the first six months for FY17.
That’s what you call an unreliable funding source. No surprise at the downgrade.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:50 pm
Moody’s: Not good enough.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:56 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - Hey everyone. What’s up. Have I missed anything? Anyone miss me? #MissingInAction #HiredToBeMissing #WorkingHardAtHiding
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:58 pm
So, where has @FakeSlipAndSue been all this time?
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:00 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - if I had something important to add, or like, be seen, I’m sure someone woulda called #DontYouForgetAboutMe
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:03 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - As everyone kept, like, engaging and stuff, I felt it was important to keep being as unseen as possible. #Boo!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:05 pm
“Oh Lord, make me responsible—but not yet.” — State Senator Augustine (D-Hippo)
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:08 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - I never thought when Bruce hired me I’d have more free time to hide then when I wasn’t hired at all #ReadyOrNotImGoingToHide
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:09 pm
For human services providers this package certainly does NOT let us rest easy for six months. Are you kidding? SB 2047 HAM 5 only gives us enough for four months. That’s what 65% of 6 months is. That’s sick, people. Really sick. This is not a save. This is a demolition.
Comment by Quill Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:09 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - Can I come out now?
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:09 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - yeah, it’s noteworthy that when real important things happen I’m never EVER around… ever. #MilkCartonWorthy
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:12 pm
The Tribune editorial board sounds disappointed:
“We hope Rauner makes it clear to Democrats that, despite this deal, Illinois’ jobs-challenged economy needs his turnaround agenda.”
They would rather the hostages not be granted relief?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:13 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - Bruce said IL hopefully has hit bottom. Can’t blame me, I mean, I can’t even stand for photos or TV cameras #PhotoshopMe
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:14 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - I want to be seen, but it seems everyone keeps changing cell numbers, emails, and my texts never get returned. #DontCallUsWeArentCallingYou
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:16 pm
@FakeSlipAndSue - #RedStapler #Basement
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:17 pm
@Healthcare? - Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
Was any appropriation included for employee healthcare? -
According to HGOP blog,”The State Group Health Insurance contribution from other state and federal funds, as well as employee premiums, is funded in this budget.”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:20 pm
Last one…
@FakeSlipAndSue - Is it bad that I’m missing or that nary a soul is looking for me in this crisis, including the press? #ThingsToMakeYouSayHmm
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:24 pm
At the risk of Mr. Miller telling me to take a breath - the budget must still be signed by 1.4%. If he does sign the bills, there is nothing that says the money will be spent.
Were there any MOUs signed during the private meetings?
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:35 pm
Salaries?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:36 pm
BTW - I am relieved that there seems to be some sense of stability at least for a few months.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:48 pm
Dee Lay@ 4:36 pm ==Does the Gov. own a tie, or is part of the droppin’ Gs also droppin’ the tie?==
Tie goes to the Rauner. (Or is that “Ty”?)
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 6:49 pm
Link to ratings seems to be broken. Get to Moody’s site, then dreaded 404 error message. Tried twice using phone. Such is life.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 7:09 pm
Well did any of the independent press ask Rauner about the higher Ed downgrade? Maybe he ought to be held to account…
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 7:15 pm
May be a little too late… I heard Catholic Charities are closing their youth care programs.
Comment by Tin Can Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 7:36 pm
If you want to save money, kick the politics out of the DOT. In D8 senator claiborn continues to load the department with his supporters and girl friends. They do nothing until they qualify for a pension.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 8:24 pm
Question - how much of the fact that this stop gap budget bill was accomplished should be traced back to Cullerton refusing to do a K-12 bill without a budget?
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 8:25 pm
Rich, did my long posting about an hour ago get hung up for some reason? Or am I having problems again with this phone not showing everything?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 9:02 pm
Posts randomly don’t appear.
Either the blog is filtering by problematic IP — either randomly or deliberately — or there’s an error with every X post not appearing.
Either way, many posts are lost once submitted.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 9:29 pm
IDOT saves the day again
Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 9:37 pm
So the social service providers helping the poor, the elderly and the disabled get 65 cents on the dollar for the services they provide under state contracts, while the for-profit construction companies with state road repair contracts get 100 c ents on the dollar??
Well played, Mr. Businessman Governor. Great job. Not a lot of Democrats in the construction business. Plus of course the other obvious thing. …
Comment by Johnny's in the Basement Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 10:23 pm
How did John Anthony vote?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 30, 16 @ 10:33 pm
=These items are funded using existing funds only.=
Indeed they are.
A good principle to maintain from now on.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 12:27 am
now reality, just because they have a budget, they do not have the revenue, how are the bills going to be paid , even though they have the authority if they have no money.
Comment by reasonable Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 7:05 am
=These items are funded using existing funds only.=
Indeed they are.–
What a bunch of nonsense.
FKA, you keep claiming that this is a “balanced budget of any kind,” whatever that means.
Since you claim that to be true, tell us the spending projections, including projected consent-decree spending,for the first six months, and then match it up with revenues for the first six months.
Be sure to include the bills that will be incurred in the first six months that will be laid off to the second half of the fiscal year.
This is a half-a-loaf, but your spin is a load of something else.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 7:21 am
Political appointees in IDOT? NO Way! Is there gambling in a casino? I’m shocked! I’m glad I don’t have to see it anymore, I remember when IDOT was respected nationwide for its technical expertise and professional
career employees. After Blago it’s a cesspool of hacks
Comment by Road Dog Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 7:26 am
Just to give some numbers for higher education I will use EIU as my example.
They expected $40 mil in appropriation for FY16 and $8 million for MAP.
They got $12.5 mil and $8 mil for MAP.
For FY17 they actually budgeted even less from the state, around $34 million. They got $26 million. MAP grants will probably be around $6 million and that hasn’t been appropriated yet.
So, in the best case scenario EIU loses $28 million for FY16 and never recovers it. That was their entire reserves.
I am not surprised about the Moody’s downgrade.
Comment by Higheredbreakdown Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 7:42 am
I hope Johnny’s in the Basement is incorrect.
I look forward to a fuller explanation from Democratic budget leaders on their plan to ensure that the state’s human services providers are made whole.
Otherwise, I would encourage the state’s providers to walk away from their 2017 contracts and never look back.
Emily Miller? Tell us please that Voices didn’t just sign off on a deal that surrenders 35 cents on the dollar while the road builders get fully funded?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 8:22 am
- Macbeth -
When my posts don’t appear in a few seconds, I page back in my browser window and resubmit them. If I get the “duplicate comment” screen, I know the comment got to the blog. I think it is something to do with using a phone browser because I usually see the post if I switch to a laptop or desktop.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 8:29 am