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* UPDATED x1 * Fun with numbers: Cost shift

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The [governor’s budget] plan relies in part on roughly $1.5 billion in savings from shifting pension costs away from the state and onto school districts, slashing health insurance benefits for retirees, and reducing rates for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies that participate in the state’s Medicaid health care program for the poor. It also calls for raiding $600 million from specialized funds that would not be repaid. […]

“He’s asking us to pass laws that his own Republicans will not vote for,” Cullerton said during an appearance on “Illinois Lawmakers.” “He wants to take money away from the state employees, take money away from pensions, take money away from health care. He wants to cut funding for education? We’re not gonna vote for that.” […]

“Every budget requires legislation,” said a top budget official during a background briefing with reporters. “There’s a misapprehension that passing legislation somehow constitutes an unbalanced budget. That’s absolutely, completely false.” […]

CPS would be asked to pay $228 million for teacher pensions after the state just last year had agreed to pick it up as part of an overhaul of the school funding formula. Suburban and downstate districts would take on about $262 million a year for the next four years.

A similar plan was floated several years ago by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, the governor’s chief political nemesis, but was pulled amid pushback from Republicans who argued the change could drive up property taxes or result in program cuts as schools take on the added cost.

The Tribune’s budget story was very good, but I have one quibble. CPS’ cost-shift would be completed in just one year, but the governor has proposed a four-year shift of 25 percent per year for suburban and Downstate schools. From Rauner’s address…

We will ask school districts to begin sharing the cost of their own pensions. We’ll phase in the shift over four years— in 25 percent increments per year

So, suburban and Downstate school districts would be shifted $262 million in pension costs in the first year. By the second year, the total local cost would escalate to $524 million. In the third year, $786 million. The last quarter of the state’s cost shift would up the total annual local pension costs to $1.048 billion (based on this year’s dollars).

* Back to his speech…

We will… give schools and local governments the tools they need to more than offset the costs. The tools include increased education funding, the power to dissolve or consolidate units of local government, and more flexibility in contracting, bidding and sharing services.

More flexibility in contracting. Ah, the good ol’ Turnaround Agenda, aka Magic Beans. “My plan will not raise property taxes because I’m definitely gonna pass something into law that the Democrats will never give me!”

* The governor also wants to do this…

Rauner’s budget would increase K-12 education by $420 million, including $350 million that was required to continue fully implementing the funding reform plan. But Manar said the money doesn’t make up for the increased expenses of the pension shift and would make funding inequity among schools even worse.

So, he increases state funding by $420 million, but decreases state spending elsewhere by sending local schools a new $490 million tab in just the first year.

* And this isn’t just about K-12. From his speech…

We will ask universities to pay their pension costs also phased in over four years and to pick up their health care costs

The pension shift would cost $101 million and it’ll be $105 million for healthcare in the first year, for a total of $206 million. It’s offset by a $205.7 million GRF approp, but, again, that cost shift is just for the first year. By the second year, the shift would total $412 million, then $618 million in the third year and $824 million by the fourth year.

Whew.

* Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady has in the past called a cost-shift a “deal killer” because it would jack up property taxes and tuition. But now that the governor has proposed one, Brady is on board.

…Adding… From Brady’s office…

It’s worth noting. Not all cost shifts are the same. Leader Brady didn’t believe the Speaker’s cost-shift proposal was sound policy because unlike the Governor’s proposal, it included legacy costs.

Back in 2014, then-Republican state Rep. Darlene Senger became a co-sponsor of HR1267…

States the opinion of the Illinois House of Representatives that the proposed educational pension cost shift from the State of Illinois to local school districts, community colleges, and institutions of higher education is financially wrong.

Senger is now running for comptroller on Rauner’s ticket. Hmm.

That resolution was sponsored by Rep. Dave McSweeney. He has filed another anti-shift resolution during this General Assembly and it picked up 14 new bipartisan co-sponsors yesterday, to bring his total to about three dozen.

…Adding… GOP Rep. Allen Skillicorn filed another anti-shift resolution last year.

*** UPDATE *** The DGA sent along this package of links to cost shift stories today…

* Northwest Herald Headline: “Some McHenry County education officials concerned about Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pension plan”

* Aurora Beacon-News Headline: “Aurora officials have concerns with governor’s pension proposal”

* Herald Review Headline: “Rauner budget proposal may add to Decatur deficit trouble”

* Ted Slowik, Daily Southtown, Headline: “Rauner’s budget message fits trend — Make the other guy pay”

* WTTW Headline: “Rauner Re-election Budget Plan Puts Burden on Local Governments”

* Peoria Journal Star Headline: “Local schools, pols worry about Gov. Rauner’s pension cost-shift.”

* Gatehouse Media Headline: “Rauner’s budget leans on local governments, pension reform.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:53 am

Comments

Rauner’s plans are just beggin’ for some “shifty” political ads.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:56 am
It’s too bad all of the pension funding mechanisms cannot be modeled after IMRF. Of course this would lead to a tax increase, but if it had been done in the beginning, things might look a whole lot more fiscally sound.

Comment by Retired Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:59 am
== More flexibility in contracting. ==

I’m assuming the major change Rauner wants to see is the local school districts to modify the union contracts to flaw back the school district paying the employer portion of the pensions … effectively cutting teacher’s salaries by 9%.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:00 pm
Putting pension costs on schools “going to happen”
Mike Madigan 2013

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130509/news/705099709/

Comment by Just Visiting Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:02 pm
=It’s too bad all of the pension funding mechanisms cannot be modeled after IMRF. =

It’s too bad the state didn’t pay it’s bills along the way.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:03 pm
Only local control of these expenditures that are bankrupting Illinois will reduce the gravy train.

This should have been done years ago because legislators admit the current system is unsustainable

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:04 pm
I say put the property tax freeze bill and cost shift on the board. I’m sure it will sail.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:05 pm
===“He’s asking us to pass laws that his own Republicans will not vote for,” Cullerton said during an appearance on “Illinois Lawmakers.” “He wants to take money away from the state employees, take money away from pensions, take money away from health care. He wants to cut funding for education? We’re not gonna vote for that.”===

Rich clarifies if the above is “too confusing”

While Rich is talkin’ about the Ole Turnaround Agenda angle, this is the crux of the Rauner fantasyland..,

===“…I’m definitely gonna pass something into law that the Democrats will never give me”===

It’s 60 and 30.

Cullerton states what’s been obvious for 3+ years and 4 budgets…

Dems are NOT going to pass the governor’s demands as Republicans he controls won’t vote for it, and it’s against the Democratic member’s core beliefs.

Rauner hasn’t learned a thing. This shift “idear”, again, highlights Rauner failing at 60 and 30 and that leads to being a failure as a governor.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:06 pm
None of these plans make sense. It’s just shifting money around. Our school board just saw the proposed increase in funding for next year and now we find out the state wants us to use it for pensions. Except they also have told us that we have to use it for educational purposes. In fact, the state board doesn’t even know how they want the money spent. I have no hope of any adults actually running the state of Illinois effectively because they have not demonstrated they have this ability.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:07 pm
==Ah, the good ol’ Turnaround Agenda, aka Magic Beans==

I’m not sure how many ways he can be told no before he gets it and moves on to something else.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:08 pm
==Only local control==

Collective bargaining isn’t going anywhere. Why keep harping on something that isn’t going to happen? Does he think if he asks just one more time he’ll get it? Move on already instead of continuing to focus on things that aren’t going to happen. It’s a waste of everyone’s time.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:10 pm
===Only local control of these expenditures that are bankrupting Illinois will reduce the gravy train.

This should have been done years ago because legislators admit the current system is unsustainable===

Let’s break this down…

“Only local control”

… except when local control isn’t what Rauner wants, then he requires a state law to supersede local control.

“of these expenditures”

… Labor, here’s where Rauner goes after the trades with prevailing wage and collective bargaining and ties changed to public sector unions. Know what this is.

“…that are bankrupting Illinois”

The cost shift… will increase property taxes. So Rauner favors property taxes going up? Ok.

“will reduce the gravy train.”

This is the “taxpayers” argument, and we’re all taxpayers, so it a phony thing to say if you want to destroy Labor, but want to sound… “thoughtful”.

“This should have been done years ago because legislators admit the current system is unsustainable”

… partly because now the paying what was owed wasn’t paid, and Rauner wants to use that “leverage” to break Labor, or he will destroy social services… yep, the Turnaround Agenda, that cant get passed, is that panacea, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:13 pm
–So, suburban and Downstate school districts would be shifted $262 million in pension costs in the first year. By the second year, the total local cost would escalate to $524 million. In the third year, $786 million. The last quarter of the state’s cost shift would up the total annual local pension costs to $1.048 billion (based on this year’s dollars).–

There you go GOP GA candidates, run on it.

Careful that Rauner doesn’t stab you in the back and cut a deal with the Dems that actually makes this happen.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:16 pm
=Only local control of these expenditures that are bankrupting Illinois will reduce the gravy train.=

Maybe your math and reading skills need a little work.

The “cost shift” covers about $1.5 billion of the total $8 billion (give or take) pension payment. That leaves roughly $6.5 billion in debt payment.

The “normal” cost for the pension has been declining since January 1 of 2011. they never seem to mention that and neither do you. I wonder if it has anything to do with undermining your narrative?

The pensions are not breaking anyone or any thing. The debt is the issue. That isn’t the “pensions” fault or the fault of pensioners. That is a century of under payment that was allowed by voters and taxpayers.

The pensioners put their money in every pay check. It is about time the state does too so we can get the economy moving forward with confidence.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Is it just me, or is the entire budget idea put forth by this Governor, going to file 13? Cullerton just threw down the gauntlet, these will not be voted on, nor would they pass if presented. Can it be any clearer then what Cullerton said? Rauner is still trying to sell a product that nobody wants, at a price no one will pay.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:24 pm
I get that it the cost shift is a political no go but, shouldn’t the unit of government that incurs a cost pay for that item. A principal like that would also require that the state not create unfunded mandates for the lower levels of government. No one wants to pay for what they spen, Sigh…

Comment by simple mind Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:25 pm
“Every budget requires legislation,” said a top budget official during a background briefing with reporters.

STOP THE PRESSES

This is an important breakthrough. For the first time in three years Gov. Rauner acknowledges a budget requires legislation.
It’s remarkable how much he’s grown as governor.
He’s really takin charge.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Wouldn’t moving more responsibility to local employers for the impact of their own decisions, be a “Conservative” idea?

I know, it’s more complicated than that. It always is. But it’s noteworthy how often people who define themselves by ideological labels, abandon them when faced with practical challenges.

Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:36 pm
Rauner is still trying to sell a product that nobody want”

I want it.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:38 pm
If they pass a law that doesn’t allow an increase in property taxes (a good thing for me), then how does the schools get the additional funds for the pensions and health care costs, when they are already underfunded in their current fiscal year?

Comment by Rufus Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:39 pm
“Wouldn’t moving more responsibility to local employers for the impact of their own decisions, be a “Conservative” idea?”

I don’t know if it’s conservative or liberal. It’s a good idea.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:39 pm
Senator Jill Tacey of Quincy when she visited Macomb a while back, also rallied against the “high cost” of insurance for state and state university retirees and advocated cuts. Don’t she and Rauner realize that most state and state university retirees are covered by Medicare - and that the State is only paying for a Medicare advantage plan, which is far cheaper than working employees insurance coverage.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:40 pm
Prevailing wage is a joke and adds ridiculous costs.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:41 pm
https://www.civicfed.org/iifs/blog/what-would-it-mean-shift-more-illinois-teacher-pension-costs-school-districts

“Illinois Senate President John Cullerton has recently suggested that school districts should begin contributing a larger share of the employer contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois. President Cullerton noted that this change would relieve some of the financial pressure on the State, which has borrowed to make its pension payments for the past two years. He has also stated that it would lead school districts to more carefully consider the effects of their teacher salary negotiations on pension costs and would more closely resemble the pension funding model of the Chicago Public Schools, which receives relatively little State assistance in funding its pension plan.”

Comment by Ste_with_a_ven Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:42 pm
Ron wants it.

Ron, how will this impact k-12 and higher ed in terms of budgets and their ability to deliver education?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:43 pm
Cullerton is one of the smarter Dem leaders in IL.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:44 pm
===which receives relatively little State assistance in funding its pension plan.”===

… except when it gets what Rauner himself describes as a pension “bailout”… so there’s that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:47 pm
===“Illinois Senate President John Cullerton has recently suggested===

The plan back then was 1 percent of normal costs a year for four years, then 0.5 percent a year after that.

The Rauner shift is 25 percent a year every year for four years, when it reaches 100 percent. So, if you post something as misleading as that on this blog again you will be banned.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:47 pm
Ron; do you come on here to simply put forth argumentative nonsense, or do you actually have rational opinions? “I want it” is a lazy response and has nothing behind it. But I have fed you enough, so I will refrain from further acknowledgement of your posts.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 12:54 pm
My apologies Rich, I didn’t intend to be misleading.

Comment by Ste_with_a_ven Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:04 pm
If the State wanted to push the pension cost for new employees, new hires, then I think I would welcome that. Pushing the existing debt onto the schools, which I think is what is being proposed, not just the normal cost but the debt payments, seems excessive. Anyone know if I’m right that the cost shift includes payments for the under funding?

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:06 pm
Here is a radical idea: have the state be responsible for a preponderance of the school funding state wide. Reduce property taxes on mon commercial buildings proportionately and increase the state income tax to replace loss of real estate taxes for the schools. Then take a remedial class in state constitutional law run by one of the crooked judges that can explain what the constitution says and means
Course could be called Budgets and Beating a Dead Horse

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:11 pm
THe reason IMRF is in such fabulous shape is one reason only.

Every single payment to it that was required was made.

Just think how well our state pension funds would be is our legislators had not stiffed employees and retirees.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:26 pm
Perrid, the cost shift covers only normal cost, not interest on the debt. For example, see JSMill’s 12:23 post.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:28 pm
==It’s too bad all of the pension funding mechanisms cannot be modeled after IMRF. Of course this would lead to a tax increase==

Or a pay freeze.

==Just think how well our state pension funds would be is our legislators had not stiffed employees and retirees.==

And how employee compensation would have been lower to make those pension payments.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:29 pm
The point of the cost shift is to create a grassroots revolt among local property tax payers against schools and teachers. If taxpayers see their money going directly from their pockets to fund the pensions of their communities’ teachers, taxpayers are more likely to demand and support pension cuts. Class warfare.

Comment by up2now Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:41 pm
==If taxpayers see their money going directly from their pockets to fund the pensions of their communities’ teachers, taxpayers are more likely to demand and support pension cuts. Class warfare.==

So transparency = class warfare?

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:46 pm
Program cuts? We wouldn’t dare.

Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:47 pm
=== And how employee compensation would have been lower to make those pension payments. ===

Are municipal salaries lower because municipalities are required to make timely payments of their employer’s share to IMRF?

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:51 pm
As far as the anti-shift resolutions, I’m pretty sure Rep. McSweeney won’t flip and vote for a pension shift.

Had Rauner sat down with Madigan and Cullerton and tried to negotiate a modest and slow shift, he might have gotten somewhere. But an immediate 100 percent shift to CPS isn’t designed to facilitate negotiations.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:53 pm
The university cost shift would amount to an end to state funding. He should just come out and say close WIU…SIU….EIU.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:55 pm
Rauners new pension shift plan can be stated this way: there three parties that make payments into the TRS pensions1) teachers (over 10% of their salary), 2) school districts ( 9% of total teacher salary) and IL State government ( whatever they desire). Teachers and Districts must pay every dime and have for decades, but IL State can take pension vacations and not pay their share so they can spend it on electable items instead. The ” new” plan will allow the State, who did not pay their fair share of pension money, a way out of paying pension money and making the teachers and Districts pay not only their share but also the States missed payments. Chicago, suburbs and downstaters all get shafted with this plan, so who is left to vote for Rauner?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:08 pm
It’s kind of nonsense that the transfer will cause School Fisticts to act more cautiously- TRS is a Springfield creation and it is controlled by the legislature. The Districts cannot negotiate pension reductions. Maybe they will approach bargaining more conservatively to attempt overall cost reductions but good luck with that. All this does is transfer a Springfield created cost mandate on to local school districts many of which are already in bad fiscal shape. Get ready for lawsuits filed by TRS to get recalcitrant employers to pay up

Comment by Sue Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:21 pm
You might want to revisit that tired old “Rauner wants to destroy labor schtick”

Don’t let the facts get in the way of your spin. Indiana is growing union jobs much faster than Illinois.

“Indiana governor right to gloat about union jobs success”

“The report shows that from 2015 to 2016 — the first two years Rauner was in office — workers represented by unions in Indiana grew from 319,000 to 335,000, an increase of 5 percent. During that same time, workers represented by unions in Illinois fell by 4 percent, from 892,000 to 856,000.

The difference between the two states is all the more striking when considered against Illinois’ longstanding reputation as a union stronghold. The report notes that Illinois is among a handful of states that account for most of the union membership in the nation:”

or we could just continue to run things Madigan’s way and watch the downward spiral cnmtinue.

http://www.politifact.com/illinois/statements/2017/nov/03/eric-holcomb/indiana-governor-right-gloat-about-union-jobs-succ/

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:21 pm
I’m ok with implementing a partial cost shift because it would make the school districts and colleges have skin in the game regarding the costs of pensions. However, the state still needs that skin in the game too so it should be 50/50 split. Additionally, the State should implement it more gradually such as 10 years. It should also only be for the normal costs of pensions.

Of course our biggest problem is that we just can’t trust Illinois politicians to do anything right. They are all just terrible.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:23 pm
== how does the schools get the additional funds for the pensions and health care costs, when they are already underfunded in their current fiscal year? ==

Through benefit claw-backs and layoffs … and the first benefit the local school boards will go after is picking up the employee pension contribution for teachers, to be followed by picking up less of the employee health insurance costs. Realistically, those are the only 2 places the local school boards will look for the money … and it will takes years, and hard union contract negotiations, to achieve it.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:35 pm
==Realistically, those are the only 2 places the local school boards will look for the money … and it will takes years, and hard union contract negotiations, to achieve it. ==

RNUG, with all due respect, there are other ways. Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum required by the State. Etc.

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:48 pm
===Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum required by the State.===

What parent, town, student body would encourage these wholesale cuts?

Rauner wants that discussion.

Rauner wants school boards to cut and hurt students so both the students and parents blame teachers, thereby helping destroy the teachers union.

“Blame the teachers. They make too much money”

The cost shift is far more devious then shifting monies and debt “here to there”

Rauner wants unionized workers to be crushed and ostracized and be the “reason”, in hopes people will turn on… teachers, for one

For Rauner, it’s always about destroying labor.

I’m this case…

“Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum required by the State.”

…

“Don’t like that? Blame your union teacher”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:54 pm
–Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum required by the State. Etc.–

And watch your home equity disappear. Feel better?

Residential real estate outside the city, including Downstate, is largely driven by the perceived value of a community’s public schools.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:54 pm
A transparent attempt to shelter Rauner’s 200 million a year from the impending progressive income tax.

Comment by Wondering Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:55 pm
Oh “Lucky Pierre”, LOL

Growth in labor in a state, Rauner himself yesterday said was half the size doesn’t negate the following;

* Decatur.
* RTW - Zones, and Munger’s hometown
* Janus
*Refusing to go along with property tax relief unless there’s prevailing wage and collective bargaining.
* Af-Scammy

Did I miss Rauner denouncing any of these purposeful moves to destroy labor?

Indiana can have an uptick in Union members and Rauner still wants, unequivocally, to destroy Labor in Illinois.

They’re not mutually exclusive

Next you’re gonna say Rauner is the friend of Labor, the man who went to Decatur with a whole PowerPoint presentation in why wages for trade labor should be reduced.

What a pal to organized labor that Rauner is, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:03 pm
== Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum required by the State. Etc.==

And, at the bottom line, those cuts translate to layoffs … my second item.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:09 pm
“The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.”
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

With Ranuer’s shift:

“Local property taxes have the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education”
(Source: Bruce Rauner)

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:23 pm
Yes, I think that raising teachers contribution to TRS to– oh, let’s say 15-20% contribution, eliminating any health insurance (let them buy it on their own) and freezing their incomes should make for only the most top notch people educating your children in our schools.

News flash. Teachers don’t make much money. If you think they’re wallowing in wealth, quit your job and go for it. The outlier salaries you read in the paper are falsely portrayed as standard.

It’s amazing how much totally distorted information there is and I have to ask—based on what?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:25 pm
Shifting the teacher’s pension from State to Local would take money away from student’s educational supplies.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:25 pm
RNUG, OW both hit the nail on the head. Raunerites continually hail “local control” while yanking all the options off the table to leave the union teachers and pensions as the most visible “options.” All the while, this greedy group wrings their hands and cries crocodile tears over the State’s teacher shortage.

Comment by morningstar Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:39 pm
==Eliminate sports, band, and other extra curricular activities. ==

Are you kidding me? Parents/G-parents will be in an uproar over taking away sports, band, etc.. Those things help students wins scholarships to college, etc..

Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:40 pm
==You might want to revisit that tired old “Rauner wants to destroy labor schtick”==

Yes, ignore the proposals to get rid of prevailing wage, eliminate the right of state workers to collectively bargain healthcare, and to let local governments opt out of collectively bargaining on most things.

Other than that he doesn’t want to destroy unions.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:53 pm
==Cut back on the curriculum to the bare minimum==

Yeah, there’s a good plan. Let’s just make sure we only provide the absolute bare minimum education to our kids.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:55 pm
===It’s too bad all of the pension funding mechanisms cannot be modeled after IMRF. Of course this would lead to a tax increase==

Or a pay freeze.

==Just think how well our state pension funds would be is our legislators had not stiffed employees and retirees.==

And how employee compensation would have been lower to make those pension payments.==

I am kind of curious about this “pay freeze” thingy. Are you under the impression that there have been big pay raises of late? I am sure there are some districts that can do that but the vast majority have not.

And what does that do to the economy? At 1%-2% maybe 3% to the base (which means those higher on the schedule will get much less) people are not even keeping up with inflation.

But you really don’t care, you just want more for less. Here is a friendly tip- not going to happen.

CZ and others can root against people but that isn’t going to move the needle much. Good luck with that.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:57 pm
Also a back door approach to taxing retirement.

Comment by Wondering Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:57 pm
@JS Mill - I’m merely calling the bluff. I agree with everyone here: fully fund the pensions. Pensions first, all other expenses second, but funding remains constant. If one aspect of compensation (deferred) takes up too much of the compensation pie, then maybe we can all have an adult conversation over that pie.

I don’t think you really care…about transparency and honesty. I’ve found most working families do. Pensions first, let the chips fall where they may. Deal? Strange how no one will call that bluff.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:29 pm
s a 35 year educator,I would not encourage my grandchildren to go into education as a profession. The constant attacks on the financial stability is more than I would expect them to endure. If no one has noticed their is a severe teacher shortage in Illinois, and across the nation. The reasons are many, but increased mandates and low pay are causal factors. If they are constantly hit, many more will walk away and the shortage only gets larger. I have been asked many times to substitute since I retired. There is even a shortage of subs. If a school district asks for take backs, good luck filling positions.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:41 pm
==If no one has noticed their is a severe teacher shortage in Illinois==

“Unless major changes are made in the structure of the teaching profession, so that teaching becomes an attractive career alternative for talented individuals, we will in a very few years face widespread shortages of qualified teachers.”

Excerpt taken from the Summary section of The Coming Crisis in Teaching by Linda Darling-Hammond

Year: 1984

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:03 pm
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171112/teacher-shortage-hitting-illinois-school-districts-hard

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:13 pm
There is no shortage of teachers in Chicago. There are far more people looking to teach in CPS than positions

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:30 am
What that article fails to mention is that no one really wants to live in rural Illinois. Chicago and most suburban districts fill jobs immediately.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:33 am