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* The Illinois Policy Institute’s vice president of policy and its policy analyst published this today…
Today, term limits are nowhere to be found in any of the “compromise” deals swirling around Springfield.
In fact, virtually every reform Rauner and legislative Republicans once sought is gone or watered-down to the point of uselessness.
Collective bargaining reforms: Gone.
Lowering income tax rates to 3 percent: Gone.
Stand-alone 401(k)-style plans for new state workers: Gone.
And term limits? Gone.
When Rauner and Republicans stated their reform goals back in 2014, they called for term limits on all lawmakers. Less than three years later, term limits were only being pursued for legislative leaders.
Now term limits are gone altogether.
What was once at the heart of Rauner and Republicans’ reform proposals is no longer a part of negotiations.
In their desperation for a deal, Republicans have rolled over.
They started out with a plan to strip Madigan of power, but the speaker managed to strip theirs instead.
Nothing remains of the reforms that could have weakened the Springfield political machine.
If they vote for a compromise plan – a punishing tax hike plan devoid of reforms – Republicans will be signing off on Illinois’ continuing slide toward bankruptcy.
And in dropping term limits as a demand, Republicans are showing they are willing to let Illinois’ corrupt, complacent and morally bankrupt political culture continue.
It’s a betrayal of the people of Illinois.
Whew.
posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 11:57 am
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So, purple is not IPI’s favorite color?
Comment by Dome Gnome Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 11:58 am
It sounds like the Illinois Policy Institute needs better lobbyists. They admittedly lost big.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 11:59 am
Whining is so unbecoming
Comment by Flapdoodle Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:01 pm
When your politics becomes a religion, you only see wins and losses in absolutes.
Wonder if Uihlein and the RaunerS are talking?
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Well, at leas they didn’t say they were back-stabbed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stab-in-the-back_myth
Comment by Rich Miller Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:03 pm
GOP needs to elect more Senators and Reps
Comment by Whatsupjoe Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:03 pm
You can always count on IPI to support a bipartisan agreement.
Comment by forwhatitsworth Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:04 pm
Reality bites…
Comment by Liberty Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:05 pm
“They admittedly lost big.” Not yet—nothing is a done deal yet.
Do they speak for the Governor? If so, it may never happen (though the price of that is becoming clearer—though not to the IPI, I guess).
Comment by UICGUY Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:07 pm
IPI needs to learn how to count votes
Comment by Whatsupjoe Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:08 pm
Boys, boys, boys…take a breath. Your goal was to strip Speaker Madigan of his power? Did you really think you could pull that off without near enough votes to do so in either the House or Senate?
Could you please let me know what you’re drinking? I need a case…
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:08 pm
===GOP needs to elect more Senators and Reps===
You mean Raunerites.
Must’ve mistyped?
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:10 pm
Lighten up, Francis.
Comment by RYan Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:11 pm
“They started out with a plan to strip Madigan of power, but the speaker managed to strip theirs instead.”
These professional peddlers of doom and outrage are beyond delusional. You can’t strip Madigan of power and pass your agenda when you’re the minority party in the GA. The votes aren’t there. A third grader knows this.
Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:11 pm
George Wallace once said: “….there’s not a dimes worth of difference between them…” (speaking of the Republicans and Democrats). While I don’t agree with anything else Wallace said or stood for, his comment certainly applies in Illinois.
Sad…
Comment by tberry Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Seriously, do they want us to go bankrupt? Seriously if they care about business you would think they wouldn’t want us to be a failed state
Comment by Oh IPI Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:14 pm
== Seriously, do they want us to go bankrupt? Seriously if they care about business you would think they wouldn’t want us to be a failed state. ==
Did Captain Ahab concern himself with his ship or crew?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:16 pm
==Today, term limits are nowhere to be found in any of the “compromise” deals swirling around Springfield.==
Our U.S. presidents are term-limited. How’s that working’ for ya?
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Humble suggestion: The IPI might consider decamping and shifting operations to Iowa or Indiana - they could retain the acronym at least.
Humble prognostication: If a budget passes without any of IPI’s touted reforms, that’s probably all she wrote for the governor, and attention will focus on the Dem primary free-for-all.
Comment by dbk Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:30 pm
Term limits cannot solve a problem caused by nationwide gerrymandering and unlimited money that is corrupting our political process.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:37 pm
I agree with TinyDancer. The problems we have aren’t going to be fixed by term limits. In my area, only one party has a candidate on the ballot in most races. The requirements for an independent to get on the ballot are high, and even if an independent can get on the ballot, they will be drowned out by advertising from the major party. Because of this, my vote largely doesn’t matter in Illinois. That’s not going to be fixed with term limits.
Comment by Pelonski Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:48 pm
Why do I have a feeling gov will veto and ipi is trying to cover…
Comment by Union thug Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:00 pm
=== Why do I have a feeling gov will veto and ipi is trying to cover… === Union t. @ 1:00
What other cards does the Gov. have to left to play? If he folds, he might as well resign.
Comment by Anon III Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:12 pm
Did anybody expect anything different from the 1.4% news service?
Comment by Huh? Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:21 pm
House GOP picked up four seats with reform agenda in 2016. Now that they are abandoning the reform agenda, how many seats will they lose in 2018?
Comment by DairyH Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Can the creditors take the State to court and force bankruptcy ?
If yes post the top 20 companies we owe the most to so we can TELL THEM TO FILE THEIR SUITS!
Seems without a constitutional convention to change the creation of a special class over an above the citizens which I think is federally unconstitutional. The right to a pension is what I am talking about the Daley got put in place in 1970 constitutional convention.
Can we twetty POTUS Trump and make us the District of Illinois ? or force federal intervention oh right State Rights for elected officials to (insert very bad word) the citizens and business’s in the land of two convicted Governor’s.
I am ready to march Monday on the State House peacefully.
Comment by merecitizen Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:41 pm
IPI’s view on this is my view. I don’t see how the republicans or rauner could justify holding up the state budget for two years and then roll over and pass a tax-and-spend budget that madigan and quinn would have passed anyway. It makes no sense and the Dems would be right to slam them on this in 2018. I think the republican rank in file need to leave this state. the gop in il will not stand up for low taxes and limited government. Move to TX or another low tax high growth state as I have done (and working to persuade my family to do as well).
Comment by atsuishin Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:53 pm
== Can the creditors take the State to court and force bankruptcy ? ==
No, under Federal law States can’t go bankrupt.
Vendors can try to sue the State; they will either get directed to the Court if Claims or get informed of the non-appropriation clause in the contract they signed.
In other words, get in line, wait, and HOPE the State decides to honor and pay your contract.
Comment by RNUG Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:59 pm
== Seems without a constitutional convention to change the creation of a special class over an above the citizens which I think is federally unconstitutional. ==
The citizens of this state voted for it. They can vote to change it, but it won’t be retroactive; can’t retroactively modify contracts.
== The right to a pension is what I am talking about the Daley got put in place in 1970 constitutional convention. ==
Go read the 1970 Con-Con minutes. It wasn’t Daley pushing it. Lots of delegates, which were overwhelming good government types, politicians, and government employees, pushed it, and it was close as to whether or not it would be included. It was envisioned as a way to force the state to save for pensions; didn’t quite work out that way.
Comment by RNUG Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:05 pm
Sooooo, a conservative “think tank” (funded by Rauner, et al) decries a potential deal because Rauner gave in (in the “spirit” of “compromise”) too much? Please. The IPI is setting up the false narrative that Rauner is a “statesman” who was willing to set aside his agenda for the good of Illinois. And if the State could only get rid of that confounded Michael J. Madigan, he could really “reform” the state. (Cue Kristen McQueary op Ed in 3, 2…)
Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:06 pm
All the tea party Republican supply side theory based government - Gone
Now try to get the Koch brothers and their cronies to pay to clean up their mess.
Comment by Chicago 20 Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:07 pm
Quite the drama.
Well, there’s dreamland and then there is the reality. The reality is dangerous in this state. Term limits is not an item that will restore any of the services stripped from citizens.
Rauner has brought us to the brink all right. The entire nation is asking what the heck is going on and probably pities us for living with such political recklessness.
Given our tax rate compared to the other 49 states, it is doubtful that we really would have billions in excess if only for collective bargaining, etc. THe only reason for the outrageous debt is because we never had enough to pay for what we wanted and had to short one fund to pay another.
Wake up and face it.
Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:13 pm
Well at least they admit their primary goal was to destroy the opposing political establishment, apparently regardless of collateral damage to the state and its people.
Comment by walker Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:27 pm
Those windbags at IPI aren’t elected officials. They can go on and on and not face very angry voters back home and they don’t have to butt heads with MJM or Rauner. They do have the right of free speech so let them rant on.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:29 pm
‘I am ready to march Monday on the State House peacefully.’
-sergeant merecitizen-
Anyone else have something they’d rather do than mark up and down the square all day?
Uh, there’s a movie I’d like to see
Right, off you go! Now, does anyone else not want to march?
[The Sergeant merecitizen has dismissed all his troops to go home, read books, learn the piano, etc.]
Sergeant merecitizen Bloody Army, I dunno what it’s coming to! Right, then! Sergeant merecitizen, marching up and down the square: go! Left, right, left right…
Comment by Morty Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:55 pm
https://youtu.be/WS5D9csaySU
Comment by Morty Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 2:58 pm
Was anyone at IPI politically aware when the Constitution of 1970 was debated / adopted? In diapers? Even alive? I weary of hearing the Personal Property Replacement and Local Government Distributive funds being called “subsidies” “grants” “incentives to excessive spending” … . While the Constitution created “Home Rule” those 2 funds exist as local governments are not allowed to levy income taxes (unlike NYC, Indiana counties) or personal property taxes on vehicles (unlike KY, MO). Perhaps the next Uihlein contribution will pay for “The Illinois Constitution of 1970 for Dummies” …
Comment by Smitty Irving Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 3:06 pm
This guy knows how they feel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f6l1QljpMo
Comment by wordslinger Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 3:48 pm
Weird. In U.S. Constitutional government, noth federal or state, certain POWERS are GIVEN to one particular constitutional position - Speaker of the House. So, who is the illiterate jackass who thinks that historical and intended position would be allowed to be breached? It was and is not possible. Ask George Ryan.
Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 3:50 pm
This state does not (nor does any state for that matter) need any more neoliberal economic policies. The era of neoliberalism is fast approaching, IPI, so give up now.
Comment by Original Red Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 4:33 pm
Nice to know term limits will not work when the current system has obviously brought us to 3rd world like conditions!
Comment by Term Limits, Like ONE! Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 7:46 pm
The 1970 clause that was added to the constitution was just for this mess we are in. A few good politicians saw the writing on the wall. To keep greedy lying corrupt politicians from robbing Peter to pay for Paul then saying the heck with Peter.
Comment by pete Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 9:37 am
Peter (means the pension fund)
Comment by pete Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 9:43 am
Term -
We currently have a mechanism to limit terms, elections.
It is our Governor Bruce Rauner that does not work.
We are here because Rauner wants us to be here, on his path
a Rauner hasn’t been happier.
Rauner’s agenda really isn’t his agenda, it’s the Koch brothers agenda that only benefits the 1%. The same agenda that has been tried and failed in New Jersey, Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Kansas.
The theory that they embrace calls for tax reductions to “grow” the economy.
Illinois’ income tax dropped after Rauner demanded the temporary income tax expire because Rauner claimed he could balance the budget without the temporary tax increase revenue.
The Illinois economy did not grow, Rauner has never balanced a budget, and Illinois’ debt is now junk status.
That’s why the Wall Street Journal refer to Rauner as Governor Junk.
Rauner’s turnaround agenda is a failure.
Rauner is a failure as a Governor.
Rauner gave himself a tax break to the peril of Illinois most vulnerable.
Comment by Chicago 20 Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 10:19 am
Chicago20 you obviously are not a fan of Rauner and therefore are a Madigan neophite. Rauner is not the failure here the people of illinois and especially chicago who continue to elect Democratic followers of Madigan are. Madigan cares only about his agenda and not the people of illinois, until him and his followers are gone no governor has a chance.
Comment by Nelsen Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 10:51 am
===…not a fan of Rauner and therefore are a Madigan neophite.===
Because someone does not find agreement with Rauner, that does not mean they are “Madigan!” anything or a neophyte on anything related to Illinois’ governing.
That’s lazy, and worse a dismissal of the damage only a governor can do because of “Because… Madigan!”
Make the argument.
Comment by Oswego Willy Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 10:55 am
Term limits exist by just having elections ?
So BIG MONEY, Unions, out of state donors and how the voters have given up on even voting in Illinois has nothing to do with a rational thought of term limits. So, you want Trump to be like Madigan serve for 40 years ?
Comment by merecitizen Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:27 pm
Mere -
Rational thought?
How does term limits get big money out?
How does term limits increase voter participation?
If it wasn’t for term limits Trump would not be 45.
Comment by Chicago 20 Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 3:47 pm
Mere -
Rational thought?
Chicago 20 was scarism. Has not been any logic or rational thought since Madigan and etc control the State of Illinois and the State of Chicago ? Really a real question.
How does term limits get big money out?
Chicago 20 without turnover in our State has lead to these issues and the people have no say in our governing at all.
How does term limits increase voter participation?
Voters have given up. There vote every 2 and every 4 years is all they have to make change and it is not working for them so they give up and not vote.
If it wasn’t for term limits Trump would not be 45.
Chicago 20 or Nixon or Bushs or …..Lincoln Change in leadership can go good or bad but at least we can with term limits not have to wait till the person dies in office any more in Illinois or Land of Two Convicted Governors
Comment by merecitizen Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 4:08 pm
Gerrymandering in Illinois would change those in control and would balance out the numbers.
I am sick of both parties so you have clarity.
Thank you for your kind reply and thoughts shared.
Comment by merecitizen Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 4:10 pm