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* 1:35 pm - The Senate just recessed, but there will be no further floor action until tomorrow. So, Senate President Emil Jones’ threat to call the rate freeze bill today was either another hollow gesture, or the negotiations have made significant progress. Both parties are caucusing now.

* 2:25 pm - Looks like the unions and the CTA have reached a deal. Details will be announced later today. Management was looking for give-backs on pensions and health insurance.

* 2:28 pm - It’s pretty brief, but if you want to see the House Democratic analysis of the one-month budget proposal, which was discussed in committee today and will likely be voted on by the full House later this afternoon, click here.

* 2:34 pm - A possible GOP opponent already for Repub-turned-Dem state Rep. Paul Froehlich?

[Hoffman Estates resident Aaron Muller] said he has been planning to run for several months. “I’ve been kind of feeling it out, trying to align myself in the right circles and seeing what would develop as things came along.” […]

Muller, who owns Barrington Resale, a used furniture store in Lake Barrington, has never held political office. He said he has been involved in charitable work, providing furniture to the needy.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 1:38 pm

Comments

President Jones won’t do anything to hurt his friends in the energy business. Illinois customers will never see a dollar in relief thanks to Blago and Jones who really are not true Democrats.

Comment by keep up w/jones Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 1:44 pm
hollow jesture

Comment by Truth in Budgeting Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Boy the Speaker didnt waste any time the GA website already has Froehlich listed as a D…..here’s some salt for your wound.

Comment by prairiestatedem Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 2:45 pm
Good for Huberman. So far, he’s surprising me. Now if only Blago would remove his head from his…well, you know.

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 3:02 pm
Terry Parke? Seems he’d want the job.

Comment by omg Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 3:03 pm
Trib has the basics of the deal.

Under the proposed contract, state approval also would be needed to issue pension obligation bonds. The Illinois Auditor General would get a seat on the transit authority’s pension trust. Meanwhile, a health care trust would be created to manage health care benefits.

Employees would contribute more toward health care and pensions, and new hires would be able to retire with full benefits, at the earliest, at age 64. Current employees will continue to qualify at 55, assuming 25 years of service.

Meanwhile, pay would increase by 3 percent in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and by 3.5 percent in the final two years of the contract.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070627ctapact,1,1271554.story?coll=chi-newsroom-hed

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 3:06 pm
Pretty slick placing the Auditor General on the pension board…it automatically creates a conflict if the General Assembly ever wanted to audit the CTA’s pension program. Not sure that’s a good idea.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Is this the best they have to offer? Muller, please.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 3:44 pm
Wumpus - Couldn’t agree more. They better get out there and find a real candidate. Muller is NOT the guy to get it done.

Comment by Torie Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 4:20 pm
So what you’re saying is there is someone who is actually worse than Froehlich living in the district. Wow!

Comment by LOL Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 4:52 pm
Muller would make a fine candidate. He’s a upstanding guy.

Comment by 54th disrtrict Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 6:32 pm
That may be, but Froehlich is NOT a fine upstanding guy. We need someone who can beat him!!!

Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 8:32 pm