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Schnorf: “These people can solve this problem”

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* Our old buddy Steve Schnorf read my Crain’s Chicago Business column about him yesterday and sent this…

I appreciate Rich’s column. Governor Rauner believes there are things that need to be done to set Illinois on the right path. I think most of us would agree with him on many of them.

At the same time, most of us find some of them unnecessary and beyond the pale. AFSCME needed to be taken to task and their unreasonable expectations rebuffed. But they neither needed nor deserve to be crushed.

In spite of what some posters on this site believe, Mike Madigan is not just an effective leader but also a decent and compassionate man and has been so the entire time I have known him. He does his job well and he will not be pushed around any more than any other leader. In the past, however, he was willing to step up and do deals with the other side because of the pragmatic need to get those deals done.

I digress by reminding us of Rich’s point that “lead” is the root of the word “leadership.”

I’ve known President Cullerton, Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno for years. In my opinion it’s been 30 years or more since we’ve had such a strong leadership group in the General Assembly.

These people can solve this problem, but it won’t be easy. There will have to be significant cuts in spending, there will have to be significant revenue increases and there will have to be significant concessions in areas such as workers’ compensation.

Let me digress briefly once more by saying that I know the labor leaders will have to make all this happen within their ranks and I know they are both capable and willing to do their part.

I hope this is not too offensive to too many people, but it’s the message I believe I have to deliver. Once again, thanks Rich.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:14 pm

Comments

Wise and pragmatic. Exactly what we need now.

I’ve suspected this for a long — especially pre-election when Rauner was accused of threatening folks and telling them he will “bury them” — but I’d wager a good deal of money that Rauner is the most emotional, hair-trigger governor this state has ever had.

Yes, he stays on message in public. But behind the scenes — I’d bet big, big here — that he holds grudges and is about as explosive as they come.

As a result, it’s his way or the highway — which is why I’m predicting this budget compromise will go nowhere and the state will come, finally, to a screeching halt.

Rauner is neither wise nor pragmatic. He’s just an angry,partisan guy with a whole bunch of money.

Comment by Bobby Catalpa Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:21 pm
Thanks Steve! I especially like the honest take on Madigan. It has been too ez to simply bash. Best to you, sir.

Comment by molly maguire Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Couple really great points by Mr. Schnorf that I think and feel really crystallize two things;

Steve Schnorf continues to teach because he is the voice of reason.

Realities are realities, and talking past them, you miss the point of why Steve Schnorf can weigh in so heavily.

First…

===In the past, however, he (Mike Madigan) was willing to step up and do deals with the other side because of the pragmatic need to get those deals done.===

This pivot of “oh yeah, well, where did that get us!” completely ignores the point. Madigan has proven time and again he us pragmatic to the deal and the politics and giverning around it.

Being pragmatic means understating the “Rule of 60″, meaning, “can this get 60 votes, and with those 60, what is accomplished”. It’s always the pragmatic “60″ that passes.

And this…

===I’ve known President Cullerton, Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno for years. In my opinion it’s been 30 years or more since we’ve had such a strong leadership group in the General Assembly.===

For me, the complete lack of autonomy for Durkin and Radogno, not only able leaders, but leaders that understand the process and theif chambers, has handcuffed governing so badly, that Radogno doing what leaders do, “do the doable”, it has made her a target to the “Silent Hand” of the Governor.

I continually learn by reading Steve Schnorf. Those two points, for me, only continue to cement what Steve Svhnorf, for me, is all about in governing; finding to doable, do it for the betterment of Illinois, and look at doing these things from the purity of doing what is best, first, and the politics and governing will take care of itself.

Thank you, Mr. Schnorf. Your take is important, as it always has been, to the betterment of us all.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:29 pm
Steve, thanks for your wise, brave counsel. nice to have your commentary up on the board. keep the words coming!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Yes.

Steve knows much more, much better, than I do. Let’s hope the leaders pay attention.

When you know the strengths and desires of the Leaders involved, and can manage more to those than to any ideological objectives, you can find your way to a good agreement.

I always thought that Madigan could have been Rauner’s best ally in achieving the “doable” of his Turnaround Agenda, while taking steps toward fiscal health. How that possibility was destroyed by mismanagement and attack politics almost from day one, is tragic. I also knew Radogno was the hidden gem in leading us all to a budget.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Always good to get some real perspective on the bigger picture.

For a great example of those that do not get it, or purposely refuse to, just scroll down for the Dan Proft post…

Comment by Boone's is back Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:35 pm
I appreciate Steve’s insights and agree they “can” solve this problem but will they? And when? How far down does our State have to sink before cooler heads prevail? We’re already in uncharted waters and I fear we will reach a point of no return. If Republican legislators won’t break from Rauner’s ideology and do what’s best for the State how does this ever get solved?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:48 pm
Great piece by Mr. Schnorf. AFSCME has made it clear over and over that it’s willing to negotiate further, but the governor made up his mind a long time ago as to his final terms.

I believe that if Rauner was willing, there could be a contract in which workers make concessions. The concessions would have to be relatively modest–definitely not the draconian healthcare cost increases, unfettered privatization rights and merit pay system that could stiff the vast majority of workers who’d meet exceptional performance standards (among other terms).

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Thank you, Mr. Schnorf and Rich for posting.

Comment by just because Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:54 pm
What we need is Steve’s leadership. That’s been sorely lacking over the last two years.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:55 pm
-OW-
‘giverning’

A Freudian slip, perhaps?

Comment by WhoKnew Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:01 pm
Honestly and openly coming from a front rank labor leader, not a Labor Leader, I wonder what he would have AFSCME rank and file do? I’m tier 2 towards the crushed side of the equation. I get the taken down a notch for tier 1 folks but what if us in the upcoming generation? Is it just pain for us? There are two groups of state employees now.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Madigan is doing his job well? Where are the results?

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:07 pm
My phone has a funny way of choosing which words need correcting, and which words will make me look foolish to my point.

I’ll defer to the latter possibility.

I’m not that clever, honest.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:09 pm
Good read on what can and should happen Steve. No let’s see if they can read.

Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:10 pm
What significance does the IL supreme ruling yesterday now have on a potential strike? How soon could the stay be lifted by this court?

Comment by Scotty Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:18 pm
Here is my take on all this:
–Not worth it to add comments on the personalities, that’d be sawing sawdust. But a lot of those names have been around a long time. The hard choices might be made a bit easier with some new faces making the case.
–The required amount of significant revenue increases would be beyond what any business or family with the ability to move out of state would put up with. It’d be a stampede for the exits.

Comment by Bowels of the Capitol Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:18 pm
@Honeybear.
You do realize you make more than some Tier 1 employees correct? Tier 2 should not receive any better treatment than a Tier 1 employee. Don’t blame Tier 1 employee’s for joint the state at a later date. I’m Tier 1 and just hit a decent title before the increases were pulled from me. Why should I get punished more than you when I have significantly more years of service than you?

Comment by ComeTogether Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:20 pm
Kevin, right now no one is doing their job well. That’s the whole point

Comment by Steve Schnorf Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:26 pm
…there has to be significant cuts in spending, there needs to be significant increases in revenue.

Yes.yes and yes. I volunteer to help in the spending cuts. The rest of you work on the progressive income tax thing. Get going. Lets meet back here….say Tuesday morning.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:32 pm
MJM has been saying almost daily for 2 years now, that the number one problem facing the state of Illinoi is the budget and that it will be solved in moderation and not in the extreme with cuts and revenue. MJM also always goes on to say that he pledges to work cooperatively and professionally with the Gov. He adds constantly that nothing productive will be gained by insults and the extreme. Yes, Gov. Rauner is correct, as Steve properly pointed out, in trying to make some needed changes but he has to do better them trying to destroy unions and daily bash the speaker of the house.

Steve it is good to see your post, and I want to personally extend my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I had the pleasure of flying you for years as a pilot with Aeronautics and I found you to always be kind, a gentleman and very respectful of what I and the other pilots did. You go back to when government use to work. Unfortunately this governor decided that the flight department (7 million budget) was killing this state and a 50 plus year of excellence in state government has come to a close. Aeronautics was one of the finest if not the finest flight departments in the country. Since having gotten rid of the flight department our problems are solved/snark. I kept posting my thoughts to you on your previous post but it never got published? I want to thank Rich for allowing this opportunity to give you a well deserved salute.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:34 pm
===AFSCME needed to be taken to task and their unreasonable expectations rebuffed===

I don’t think it’s appropriate to make that kind of statement without specifying what exactly their expectations were and why they’re unreasonable.

In spite of what the administration says, there’s real data showing that state employees are underpaid when compared to their private sector peers with similar credentials and to their public sector peers in other states.

I get that it’s an easy and visible target to be repeatedly whipped, but if one is going to make a claim that their expectations were unreasonable it would be nice for them to say what they are.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:42 pm
Yes, they can fix, but they don’t want to.

Comment by Union Man Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:49 pm
Come together, sorry I didn’t mean to write it like that. I meant to say I can understand how other people would think that tier 1 has it good. Which is true. I don’t blame you. I’m happy for you. At the same time state employees tend to get treated as if they are all tier 1 and highly paid. But we’re not all like that are we? A lot are paid less. A lot have lesser benefits. I was gently pointing to this with mr schnorf. I did that obviously in a poor manner. I didn’t mean to offend you. I apologize. My contention was with the idea that AFSCME needed to be taken down a notch and that they will have to live with it. That means something very different to those folks who are new or newer to state service. I have often actually felt a fair amount of pushback from veterans in dHS at least. It’s like we haven’t earned our stripes and deserve less. It can be a hazing mentality instead of welcoming and fostering of the next generation. I think that is a valid self criticism of our workforce.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 3:53 pm
Public: We demand services!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 4:09 pm
Just less of them..

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 4:13 pm
“I think most of us would agree with him on many of them.” I’m not so sure that’s true either. Replace “most” with “some” or “many” with “some” (or both) then I’d agree. And certainly not with the manner or the degree that he wants either.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 4:16 pm
I have no faith in any leader at this point

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Been very little I’ve disagreed with Steve about. And this is why. Both sides have made mistakes, both sides have done great things. I’m all for unions, belonged to AFSCME many years but even I thought the reins needed to be pulled in a bit towards the end of my career. I also think Madigan, though he has faults like they all do, has been masterful in his career if a bit hard headed. Rainer has done some good things in the justice system and not all his ideas are bad but he might be a little hard headed too. Steve your comments and ideas for resolution are right on and seem pretty simple to all but those who have the power to do it. Prayers continue for you sir

Comment by Former Merit Comp Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Wise and thoughtful comments by Steve, as usual and as expected. What was stunning and unexpected, was to learn of Steve’s health issues. I am still in shock and hoping and praying for some miracle. Rich, thank you too for your excellent Crain’s Column. Sending my best wishes to Steve and all of you. It would be nice if Illinois would “Win One for the Schnorf.”

Comment by Matt Bettenhausen Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 5:46 pm
Steve - nothing is happening this year.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 7:03 pm
“Wise and pragmatic. Exactly what we need now.”

So the man that made the deal that gave us the $130 billion pension debt(still growing) is all the sudden wise and pragmatic?

The man that pushed through all the truly unbalanced budgets since 2001 is suddenly wise and pragmatic?

The man that has watched over the slowest recovery from the recession of just about any state around, watched the exodus of people and the tax base from the state is suddenly wise and pragmatic?

Sorry but the guy has no idea how to get us out of this mess, his only concern is to keep the power of the Sate in the Democrats hands.

Comment by Stand Tall Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 7:31 pm
==So the man that made the deal that gave us the $130 billion pension debt(still growing) is all the sudden wise and pragmatic?==
The problem started long before he had anything to do with it. Many blame the Edgar ramp, but you can’t defend the accusation unless you can show what the payments would have been if the ramp had not been enacted. Enacting the ramp at least made it public every time the GA chose to pay less than the ramp amount. I would come down on the side of saying the ramp has made us better off than we would be if the GA had gone on completely ignoring the pension liability, as they did before the ramp. So, in this matter, Mr. Schnorf is one of the good guys.

I had some limited face-to-face with Mr. Schnorf in the past, involving one severe scolding that my boss deserved but I received, and I have nothing but respect for him.

And I doubt he ever wanted to keep the power in Democrat hands.

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 8:01 pm
I agree with Steve that the four legislative leaders have it within them to pass a budget. However, I do not think that they can reach that road by engaging in simple transactional politics as Schnorf suggests.

With all due respect to Schnorf, the mayor, and others: there is no win-win here. Everyone in Springfield is going to be a loser here. The only question is whether they all lose some, a lot, or we all lose everything. That is where our economy is headed if we do not pass a budget immediately.

Two things are guaranteed: programs will be cut, and taxes will be raised. how much more officials from each parties will have to stick their necks out will be up to them, and whether they want to engage in tit-for-tat politics.

Instead, we need to be negotiating based on principles, with a focus on the common good and the goals we share. I believe that is what Cullerton and Radogno are trying to do, but the math is hard enough without injecting political payback and partisan zeal into the process.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:11 pm
YDD: With all due respect to Schnorf, the mayor, and others: there is no win-win here. Everyone in Springfield is going to be a loser here. The only question is whether they all lose some, a lot, or we all lose everything.

This is why it’s so important for the governor to engage in the deliberations. Not throwing bombs, not funding attack dogs, not saying one thing to reporters and rallying opposition outside the capitol, but really commit to something, say exactly what he wants in this budget, and then see how far that message gets toward 30 and 60. Everybody has to stop speechifyin; and roll up their sleeves.

Is it significant that Schnorf credited everyone else in the process but the governor?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:24 pm
Nothing that the Governor is pushing will move the state forward, absent a budget. None should be a pre-condition to settling the budget. Whatever else gets done, without a budget the state continues its downward slide. True or false, Steve ?

Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 10:04 pm