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* Remember when I warned you there would be blow-ups this week? The first big one happened today.
Senate President John Cullerton emerged from today’s leaders’ meeting saying it was a “very positive meeting. Very productive.” Click here for a transcript of his remarks.
Speaker Madigan told reporters later, “We had a very calm and reasonable meeting today. And everybody understands the gravity of the situation. I think (Republicans) understand that it’s their responsibility to persuade the governor.” Madigan said his chamber will start voting on his reform proposals tomorrow. “There is substantial compromise contained in the positions which will be advanced by the House tomorrow.”
* But a clearly agitated House Republican Leader Jim Durkin told reporters later that Madigan had once again “moved the goal posts.”
Madigan, Durkin claimed, added a fresh demand that Gov. Rauner sign the AT&T bill, which includes a mobile phone fee hike to subsidize 911 emergency call centers. Rauner has said he will veto the bill.
Durkin said that while Madigan expects him to convince the governor to accept reasonable demands he can’t ask the governor to get behind these things unless he can first convince his own members to support them.
Leader Durkin insisted that Madigan “show his cards” on a tax hike and produce a budget implementation bill to show exactly where he’s cutting. “Unless we see revenue, we cannot determine whether it’s a balanced budget,” he said.
And he characterized tomorrow’s floor votes on Democratic reform bills as just that: Democratic bills without bipartisan compromises. He has negotiators working on deals with Democrats - some of whom were meeting with each other during the leaders’ meeting - but none of the talks are yet finalized.
“It’s a two-way street,” Durkin said. “I can’t determine if they’re sincere or not.”
“We need to resolve this in a bipartisan manner by the end of the week,” Durkin said.
* Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) outlined the House Democrats’ budget plan. Here are a few dot points…
* The state is currently spending $39 billion. Rauner’s introduced budget was $37.316 billion. The House plan is $36.489 billion
* HDems wanted to take the “best ideas” from SDems and GOP plans and accommodate requests of the governor
* $1.850 billion for group health insurance. Full payment for next year.
* 5 percent reduction to operating lines for most agencies. Give directors lump-sum flexibility.
* HDem plan is a five percent cut to higher ed as opposed to a 10 percent cut in the GOP plan.
* Goal is to “live within the confines” of the revenue set by SB 9. But is not ready yet to release an actual revenue proposal.
* There are no new programs in the HDem budget…. But they’ve decided to supplement existing programs.
* Transferring money from new computer software projects, which totaled about $900 million.
* “We are showing a teeny, tiny surplus.”
* $7.394 billion for pensions. Full payment.
* Borrow money to pay off bill backlog, saving hundreds of millions in interest penalties to providers, but there’s no set plan yet
…Adding… Hmm…
Insight into 4 tops meeting in Springfield and why Spkr Madigan "blew a gasket" coming up at 6p on NBC 5
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) June 27, 2017
…Adding More… I’ll have to watch her broadcast, but I was just told this by a Republican spokesperson…
No blow ups, just frank discussion.
..Adding More… From Durkin’s office…
Talk going around that Madigan may have ‘blown a gasket’ during leaders meeting: Leader Durkin says he did not witness it.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:12 pm
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That was not one of the 3 “off budget” items that MJM mentioned yesterday. Durkin has a point on that.
Comment by Boone's is back Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:17 pm
“Unless we see revenue, we cannot determine whether it’s a balanced budget,”
Exactly, Leader Durkin. Please let us know your revenue plan so we can assess your budget. We’ve yet to see that.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:17 pm
So, Durkin is complaining about no HDEM revenue bill, even though there is no Republican revenue bill to support their spending bill?
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:17 pm
Not an accident. Durkin having no revenue bill?
Not an accident
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:19 pm
Two questions:
1. Why does Durkin need to persuade his members on the 911 bill, when enough of his members already passed it to override the Governor?
2. Why does Madigan have to show his cards with revenue? He said clearly in his press conference that he was comfortable with revenue levels at or below the Senate’s level. If the GOP is pointing to the Senate bill, why can’t he?
Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:20 pm
=== Not an accident. Durkin having no revenue bill? ===
Yep. Raunerites still playing it so that Dems take the big hit on tax increase blame.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:24 pm
Echoing what others have said above, and adding one more oddity from Durkin’s comments. He claims that he can’t ask the governor to get behind these things unless he can first convince his own members to support them. We all know that if the governor gets behind it, the house GOP members will fall in line.
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:27 pm
“It’s a two-way street,” Durkin said.”
So far it seems as though it is a one way street as in 1.4% saying “My way or the highway.”
What is this “two way street” Leader Durkin speaks of?
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:35 pm
nfw this gets done by the end of the week
Comment by Joe Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:49 pm
== But a clearly agitated House Republican Leader Jim Durkin told reporters later that Madigan had once again “moved the goal posts.”==
Doesn’t Madigan know it’s only acceptable when the Gov moves the goal posts? /s
Comment by Cardsfan Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 5:59 pm
==Unless we see revenue, we cannot determine whether it’s a balanced budget==
Physician, heal thyself.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:05 pm
Just some normal bumps in the road. Not having had a budget for years, we’ve forgotten how you get there.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:09 pm
Durkin is being disingenuous.
When Durkin has his own revenue vehicle, then he can “question” without it looking like Durkin is personally blowing up everything.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:10 pm
Rich,
Just curious - do you have a service to get Chicago channels in Springfield? Or do you use TVeyes? Or just hope the segment is online? I would think an ability to watch Chicago news is integral to your job.
Comment by Fax Machine Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:14 pm
The games being played are old. Get on with a budget already. Everyone wants to see the next headline be along the lines of Budget Deal Reached! or Impasse no more! IL has to be the laughing stock of the US. Its embarrassing.
Comment by Patrick Staarr Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:15 pm
The time for madigan to dictate terms was before May 31. If the Speaker wants a deal now he needs Republicans. Rumors are rampant that Madigan has more to gain with no deal and waiting to campaign on blaming the Governor. Madigan won’t miss a meal or a paycheck
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:24 pm
Ahern reported that the “blow up” was over a Republican suggestion to move a term limit bill in the senate.
Comment by Roman Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:26 pm
===Rumors are rampant that Madigan has more to gain with no deal and waiting to campaign on blaming the Governor.===
Rauner needs a budget, governors need budgets. That’s how this works. These state agencies have Rauner’s name on the letterhead, the state universities have Rauner appointees in the boards. K? K.
===Madigan won’t miss a meal or a paycheck===
Rauner made $144 million last year. He won’t starve either.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:29 pm
–Transferring money from new computer software projects, which totaled about $900 million–
What will this do to the new agency DoIT? Plus with all the projects Doliete is involved in they will have to layoff some workers.
Comment by Just Because Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:30 pm
. . . of course that aterm limit bill will NOT be called tomorrow.
Comment by Lt Guv Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:30 pm
Considering that Gov. Rauner has been HIDING the goalposts for the last 3 years, me thinks Durkin grabbing his pearls and falling on fainting couch is a bit overboard.
Comment by Union Thug Gramma Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:31 pm
First, how many of Durkin’s member also want the AT&T bill to pass? Heck, Durkin should be begging Rauner the sign that too, not just waiting for Madigan to save his bacon.
Second, I’m trying to imagine what Madigan “blowing a gasket” looks like. Did he squint? I doubt he raised his voice, or God forbid, actually yelled. His blood pressure is so low that I can’t imagine him losing his temper over anything.
Finally, if Durkin says he didn’t witness it, I wonder who that leaves as Mary Ann Ahern’s “source” for that bit o’ juicy gossip?
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:31 pm
The speaker is merely doing to them what the guvna had done to all of us, except the Speaker understands the concept of “timing is everything.”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:56 pm
Sources say Durkie tried to peddle GovHappyJunk vetoing ATT so he did not blamed for fee hike….his brainstorm was rebuffed.
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:57 pm
–Madigan, Durkin claimed, added a fresh demand that Gov. Rauner sign the AT&T bill, which includes a mobile phone fee hike to subsidize 911 emergency call centers.–
Yeah, making sure Downstate communities have 911 service is a real deal-breaker. Surprised so many Republicans in the House and Senate voted for it.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 6:59 pm
Seems reasonable, but Durkin channeling Rauner will not own the tax increase.
Comment by XDNR Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 7:20 pm
–* Transferring money from new computer software projects, which totaled about $900 million.–
Reversing the Midnight Munger raid on GRF for the IT boys.
Keep an eye who beefs on this, given the immoral reneging on contracts to social service providers that has occurred the past two years.
The IT pinstripe patronage types got taken care of very well during that time.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 7:26 pm
Testicular virility, Durkin’. You and your Caucus could use some of that.
Comment by Winnin' Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 7:51 pm
I am so sick of people moving goalposts if this keeps up that ten year old Lovie recruited to U of I will not know how far he has to run But maybe by the time he shows up on campus a budget will be passed. Otherwise just call it lies
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 7:55 pm
Crain’s published an article by Dave McKinney back in 2015 with a history on how pensions became so generous and how the funding for those promises was so very lax. But part of that article shows the pension annual pension funding ramp going from an annual contribution of $6.9 B in 2015 to $16.3 B. Whatever happens to us this year, seems like it’s just the beginning of a thirty year crisis.
Comment by Midway Gardens Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 8:21 pm
Any chance this gets done and Rauner vetoes everything but K-12…again???
Comment by Dublin Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 8:31 pm
I hope DOIT dies a quick painful death. What a waste of money in a time where we don’t have it. Kill the agency and get rid of all the Superstars they hired to scam it
Comment by Trainin Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 8:45 pm
I meant run it. /s
Comment by Trainin Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 8:46 pm
Rich -
Not sure if this counts as a blow up. This is more like working the refs.
Still, Durkin ought to have found a better bone to pick than the AT&T bill.
Let me spell it out for ya, Leader Durkin:
A budget deal means “release all of the hostages.” That means the CPS money. The 911 money. The agreed pension bill. Alllll of the hostages. That is what a peace agreement is.
If you keep hostages, it is not a peace deal. It is only a ceasefire. You know: time to reload.
Comment by Longtime Buddy Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:10 pm
The AT&T bill is poison. As voters have come to realize what’s in it they have been howling to their reps–both Dem and Republican.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:34 pm
Any word on how much we saved by putting an end to waste,fraud,abuse?
Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:38 pm
“Any chance this gets done and Rauner vetoes everything but K-12…again???”
I would say this is unlikely. The budget will likely all be in one bill this time, so he would then be solely responsible for the lack of a budget. He would likely do some reductions to make himself look he is holding the line on spending, but it is hard to imagine him vetoing everything but the education portion.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:47 pm
Can’t help but throw a tantrum when you’re in the minority position. That’s how this works, Mr. Minority Leader.
Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:34 pm
Easiest to blame Madigan for new demands than to try to persuade Rauner to change his mind.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 12:20 am
But on the positive side, Durkin and Madigan do agree that there are goal posts.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 6:40 am
Mary Ann Ahern staking out McCormick Place for a budget deal?
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/democrats-reveal-plan-illinois-budget-impasse-431116043.html
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 7:33 am
Pensions are not fully funded in this proposal. The Systems collectively certified $7.9B for FY 18. This bill only funds at the level of $7.4B.
Comment by Davos Seaworth Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:03 am
Rauner had what, about 44-45 items on the turnaround agenda. Down now to a few.
And some argue he won’t compromise.
Tell us again who doesn’t care about Illinois and who is holding this state hostage.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:06 am
Anon at 806a- in the words of OW and others on here, pick a name. It helps.
The TA was a bunch of items, but many of them still overlapped. Also, some where shot down (RtW zones come to mind) by municipalities where he tried implementing them.
You can try defending Rauner to the end, but this mess lands squarely in his lap.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:23 am
Fixer, to the partisans, you would be right.
MJM has definitely shown his true colors this week. Killin Illinois since 1971.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:32 am
By nearly every measure, Illinois is worse off since Rauner became governor.
Ask Crain’s.
If you can’t pick a name now…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 8:34 am