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* The plaintiffs are Medicaid managed care providers operating under a federal consent decree. They’re demanding the state pony up at least $500 million a month. The state simply doesn’t have the money…
Judge Lefkow gives 2 sides til Friday to find deal on Medicaid payments #ILBudget
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) June 28, 2017
*** UPDATE *** AP…
A lawyer has told a federal judge in a civil case surrounding billions of dollars in unpaid Medicaid bills that trying to squeeze money out of Illinois as it heads into a third year without a budget is like trying to squeeze “blood out of a stone.” […]
State attorney Brent Stratton said Illinois can’t come close to finding a spare $500 million. He said it could pay $150 million at best, half paid by federal funds.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 10:39 am
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What kind of “deal” could the state enter into without a budget? Why would the plaintiffs trust it?
I get the sense that Judge Lefkow will bring the hammer down hard, based on her comments to date.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 10:50 am
Wouldn’t it help to receive this ruling before the budget is complete so we can see that increasing revenue is a must.
Comment by Seats Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 10:58 am
===so we can see that increasing revenue is a must. ===
Only if you can’t see it already. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 10:59 am
==I get the sense that Judge Lefkow will bring the hammer down hard, based on her comments to date.===
I get the sense she’s doing everything she can possibly do to avoid bringing the hammer down hard. She appears to be working to force them to solve it on their own. If they don’t, it’s hard to know what she’s going to do.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:03 am
==it’s hard to know what she’s going to do.==
Isn’t it nice that Illinois has managed to completely destroy the whole separation of powers thing and cede control to the judicial branch.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:12 am
It seems Judge Lefkow is slowly approaching issuing a probably unenforceable order broaching separation of powers. In the event that the parties do not agree to something which she can accept as a resolution or at least a good enough reason for another continuance, a detailed opinion on the limitations imposed on the courts from encroaching on the executive and legislative branches may be advisable.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:15 am
Two whole days?! Man - that is a lifetime! /s
Comment by Curl of the Burl Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:16 am
===If they don’t, it’s hard to know what she’s going to do.===
If your number one question or concern about all this is the “worrisome way” a federal judge is governing a sovereign state, you’re understanding the idea of governing wrong.
Is it something to ponder? Yep, now it is. The first and last concern should be “We need a budget and to get out of this federal courtroom”
This isn’t solely directed at you - A Guy -, but it completely is directed at this idea that getting a budget to stop this should be the end game, and only game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
The fact that Rauner, like his predecessors, never really challenged the Federal Courts’ Orders by seeking their dismissal or appealing their propriety is amazing. Talk about being handcuffed.
But that’s now far beyond the point and this particular case seems to have transformed into a mini-receivership or bankruptcy proceeding. It’ll be interesting to see the Judge’s next move/Order.
It’ll be even more interesting to see if the State can comply & what should occur if IL cannot do so.
Comment by Another Perspective Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:24 am
Is it possible that Lisa Madigan could use Judge Lefkow’s decision today as another impetus to revive the state employee pay lawsuit–perhaps under the guise of “federal consent decrees and orders take priority over state/county court rulings”?
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:24 am
“I get the sense that Judge Lefkow will bring the hammer down hard”
It would be nice but what could she do that the other two branches would even listen to?
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:29 am
Guy, Lefkow has already ruled that the state is in violation of the consent decree and her previous order. She also stated that state statutes requiring spending do not supersede those.
I based my conclusion on the evidence to date, not just what popped into my head.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:37 am
I believe we are still waiting on the appellate court June 13, 2017 hearing on Madigan vs state employee pay also. If not I missed it and can’t find it
Comment by So tired of political hacks Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:47 am
==I based my conclusion on the evidence to date, not just what popped into my head.==
OK then. Why hasn’t she just dropped the big hammer you’ve based all your worldly evidence and knowledge on?
What pops into my head is that the hammer may be unenforceable, based on the “evidence” of no funds to satisfy the order. Instead, she’s offering the best reason yet to settle this mess promptly and postponing a ruling to give them time to do it.
That’s what pops into my head after reading the evidence….and the dream that I could be as smart as you one day and maintain some level of decency.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:49 am
Well if she has found them (the state ) in violation of the court order she could find them in contempt. Make them sell an asset to pay bill. My vote would be sell Thompson building. Get that off the books and stop The argument between mayor and governor Sort of a twofer
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 11:59 am
I’d vote for her to jail the Governor. She could rule his dereliction of duty to be contempt of court. Others might want to include Madigan too - but since Rauner’s budget has a $5B hole in it and it’s his job to submit a balanced budget she should give him some time in the pokey to think about it.
Comment by Biscuit Head Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 12:02 pm
“I’d vote for her to jail the Governor.”
That would be interesting. US Marshals facing off with the State Police. It might be the first time Madigan and Cullerton back up the Governor because they know they could be next in the federal cross hairs.
Some real interesting issues are beginning to percolate up to the surface as to federal involvement when all three branches of a state’s government manage to annihilate its finances and the voters appear to be complicit due to their quest for somebody else’s stuff.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 12:36 pm
== Some real interesting issues are beginning to percolate up to the surface as to federal involvement ==
Yep. Whole lots of State’s Rights issues versus Federal Law that haven’t been seen for more than a century. Only this time the battlefields are the courts.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 1:56 pm
“State attorney Brent Stratton said Illinois can’t come close to finding a spare $500 million.”
Hey, just implement the turnaround agenda! We’d even have $50 million left over!
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 4:23 pm
–State attorney Brent Stratton said Illinois can’t come close to finding a spare $500 million. He said it could pay $150 million at best, half paid by federal funds.–
Put Dep. Gov. Munger on the case.
She found tens of millions in GRF for DoIT when they already had a flush dedicated fund.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 4:30 pm
RNUG
Personally I much prefer these battlefields stay in the courts.
Comment by State Engineer Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 4:33 pm
== Personally I much prefer these battlefields stay in the courts. ==
Me too. But, unfortunately, we have a body count of failed social service providers, soon to be superceded by unopened schools.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 28, 17 @ 4:53 pm