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It’s just a bill

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Legislators are bringing back a bill to raise the age at which people can legally purchase tobacco products to 21, after Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed similar legislation last session.

“I have reason to believe we can pass it again in both houses,” said Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, adding that she thinks Gov. J.B. Pritzker will look at the bill favorably. […]

Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said the governor “looks forward to reviewing the legislation.”

“The governor believes in order to help build a healthy society, we have to work to prevent young people from smoking,” Abudayyeh said via email.

* “He’s running”…

Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) is sharing concern over recently introduced legislation, (House Bill 888) that forces law-abiding citizens to give Illinois state agencies access to their personal social media accounts for merely considering exercising their constitutional right to own a firearm.

“It’s shocking that big-government liberals think the people of Illinois would be OK with granting government agencies the ability to snoop through their social media platforms,” said Sen. Plummer. “This ‘Orwellian’ mindset is frightening and something that all Americans, regardless of their partisan affiliation, should be on guard against. In America we care about individual rights and privacy.”

Sen. Plummer also highlighted legislation (Senate Bill 107) that calls for a ban on the sale or the unregistered possession of dozens of semi-automatic firearms, dubbed, “assault weapons,” to scare and mislead citizens. The bill also forces law-abiding gun owners to pay additional fees and consent to a massive government registry simply for owning these firearms, otherwise risk criminal penalties.

“This means that failure to pay additional fees and acquiesce to register lawful and privately owned firearms in a massive government-controlled database, even firearms passed down in a family from generation to generation, will lead to a felony charge and fines and/or prison time,” said Sen. Plummer.

Numerous types of widely-owned semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns are included based solely on their appearance rather than how they function.

“This legislation is an obvious overreach and infringes upon law-abiding citizens’ privacy and Second Amendment rights,” said Sen. Plummer. “The proposed legislation penalizes good, law-abiding citizens who have done absolutely nothing wrong. I plan to share my concerns with HB 888 and SB 107 with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This legislation sounds like stuff that comes out of the mind of totalitarian state apparatchiks—not from elected officials in a republic committed to individual rights and freedoms.”

Response from the Democratic freshman sponsor, Rep. Dan Didech…

In an increasingly online world, we must have an open discussion about the tools law enforcement may use to keep our communities and our children safe. This legislation would modernize the tools available to help law enforcement by allowing them to determine whether a person seeking to obtain a firearm is showing signs of violence toward themselves or their community online.

Standing up to Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association’s extreme agenda requires us to take a serious look at current policies and look for changes that can be made to end the epidemic of gun violence in our country. My hope is that this legislation continues a conversation about the actionable steps we can take to make our communities, schools, and places of worship safer. The stakes are too high for us to sit on the sidelines.

* Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock)…

Everyone tends to roll their eyes when public officials promise to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse”. But nobody denies that those things exist. The trick is to figure out what can be done to eliminate it.

It’s with that in mind that I’ve introduced House Joint Resolution 6 and a House Bill 275 which is modeled on President Reagan’s 1982 Executive Order establishing a private-sector cost study of the agencies of the Federal government, which resulted in the issuance of the 1984 “Grace Report”. In the report, the Grace Commission offered up 2,487 separate recommendations for streamlining government agencies which it estimated would have saved $424 billion over a 3-year period (and that’s in 1984 dollars).

H.B. 275 creates the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which is a private sector panel authorized to undertake a thorough review of Illinois agencies and provide recommendations for improvement. Its goal is to identify inefficiencies, redundancies and insufficient control over the operations of state agencies which result in inadequate services being provided at too high a cost. It would be charged with recommending improvements that would increase efficiency, reduce costs, enhance accountability and improve administrative control, and would also provide opportunities for managerial improvements over the short and long term, suggesting specific areas where further study could result in additional savings.

Like the Grace Commission, this Commission will be privately funded by soliciting contributions to be made to a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as called for in the bill. Commission members would not be paid, and would be charged to present their findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2020.

Cleaning up audit findings isn’t enough; we must do this deep dive into our agency operations with a focus on finding where outdated and redundant processes can be eliminated or combined. We must also set policies in place which demand greater accountability from those stakeholders which come to the state asking for appropriation of taxpayer money. It’s time for them to show us how well they’ve spent the money we’ve given them before we give them more. In my first term, I was a member of the K-12 Appropriations Committee. I’ve seen firsthand that it’s not now being done.

This is not an attempt to fix blame or to point fingers at any agency or person. Every organization, public or private, needs a periodic review to find ways to improve its operations. Otherwise it grows sclerotic and gets in the way of its own purpose. But it’s obvious that something more robust than a mere audit is needed. It’s time for the Governor’s office and the General Assembly to step in and shine a light on what’s been allowed to languish for far too long. It’s what we’ve been elected to do.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 9:59 am

Comments

In regards to H.B. 275, $50 says that the biggest of the commission’s suggestions is that the state should hire private entities to do all the work. They’ll probably stumble across some good ideas too, but that’s going to be the big one. Everyone wants their cut.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:07 am
Wait, didn’t Rauner cut waste over the last 4 years?

Comment by I'm confused Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:08 am
The Grace Commission was Reagan’s fig leaf cover while proposing and running up record peacetime deficits.

I’m guessing Rep. Reick knows that.

Reagan had, and Rep. Reick has, the ways and means to propose their own cuts to “waste, fraud and abuse.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:13 am
So tobacco bad. Weed, which remains Schedule 1 illegal drug under federal law, good, and is something we’ll encourage. Got it.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:14 am
Chris P Bacon, prove MJ causes cancer and we’ll talk. Until then, get outta here with your pseudo logic.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:16 am
Didech’s proposal is the definition of extreme, and likely unconstitutional.

Comment by Cornfed Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:19 am
Chris P Bacon, what is the proposed age limit for weed being discussed? Oh, right…

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:22 am
@perrid From my post:

“Nor is this an attempt to “privatize” our state agencies. We’ve all seen what happens when people run for office pledging to run government “like a business”. Government isn’t a business, it’s the contract we make with ourselves to do the things we can’t do for ourselves.”

Comment by Steve Reick Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:22 am
“He’s running”… I think that it is safe to assume that Jason will never let a “red meat” issue go without comment. Exactly what I would have expected from my new Senator. There will be more to come.

Comment by illini Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:29 am
@wordslinger:

“Rep. Reick has, the ways and means to propose their own cuts to “waste, fraud and abuse.”

The ways, yes, the means, as a member of a super-minority, not so much. But either way, we can’t cut until we know what to cut.

Comment by Steve Reick Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:33 am
The knee jerk comments in defense of weed indicate it makes people even stupider than originally believed.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:40 am
One of the first things the Grace Commission did was recommend gutting military pensions …

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:40 am
Rep Reick, did you submit this bill when the prior governor was in office and your party had a larger caucus than it does not? If not, why now and not then?

Comment by Fixer Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:42 am
@fixer:

I did (HB5957), but sadly it wasn’t until September, so I did miss a window of opportunity. But that doesn’t make it a bad idea in the current GA.

Comment by Steve Reick Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:47 am
–But either way, we can’t cut until we know what to cut.–

They don’t let you go through those budget books? No staff already?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:48 am
In defense of weed, weed is, um, what are we talking about again?

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:48 am
Good job on getting it in earlier this time around then. I disagree with your premise on the bill, but it’s a conversation worth exploring for you guys.

Comment by Fixer Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 10:51 am
Rep. Reick, the Blago/Quinn/Rauner years have hollowed out state government’s ability to function efficiently. Creating another entity to detract from the core mission of their work is a bad idea. Focus on the performance management process that has already been established. Advocate to make that process as a meaningful tool in the budgetary process. And spare us the typical fraud, waste and abuse rhetoric. Yes there is some, but nothing near the massive dollar amount claimed by the politicians. Rauner’s failed effort to outline that cost showed it was more of a disagreement over policy direction as opposed to actual waste, fraud or abuse.

Taxpayers are owed efficient and effective government services. Focus on that instead of a PR committee.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:09 am
HB888 is such a waste of taxpayer money. How can the State Police even enforce such a provision? And will the State Police forever be reviewing every FOID card holder’s social media accounts? Becoming Big Brother is not the answer. And I suspect 99% of social media “threats” are just hollow attempts to gain attention. You will just drive the 1% underground with legislation such as this.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:15 am
Years ago, the state had a program to reward cost saving ideas from employees. Great. Unless I’m wrong, I believe it had to be an idea that was NOT part of your job responsibilities. I sent in a suggestion that THAT was idiotic - the best ideas for savings come from front line folks who know stupid when they see it and how it could be done better. I didnt win any ca$h.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:24 am
–The knee jerk comments in defense of weed indicate it makes people even stupider than originally believed.–

Yeah, it takes a real Big Brain to ignore the Prohibition experiment and cede a widely socially accepted “vice” to murderous gangsters. And throw low-level users in expensive prisons for it, too.

Thank goodness not everyone is as smart as you.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:25 am
You never hear those arguing the tired tobacco/military/voting rhetoric advocating that 18 year olds be allowed to hold office at the Rep, Senator, Gov, or POTUS levels, however they always seem to define an adult by their ability to purchase alcohol and tobacco, the truest standard of maturity, lol

Comment by Kayak Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:38 am
Rep. Reick is proposing a blue ribbon commission.

We love blue ribbon commissions in Illinois.

They produce big, heavy books that look really impressive when held up at a press conference.

And then placed quietly on a bookshelf. With the other blue ribbon commission reports.

Comment by Minnie Pearl Jam Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:04 pm
“Every organization, whether public or private needs a review…”

But if government Is going to be reviewed, it needs to be by private bidnesspeople. Right. If you are serious, at least make the commission representative of all interested parties.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:19 pm
==This is not an attempt to fix blame or to point fingers at any agency or person.==

Sure it is. You can tell by the October 1, 2020 deadline. It will be just in time for the next election so the Republican legislative candidates can run on saying “See…See, there is all of this waste and corruption in Springfield.” If you really want this to be non-partisan, move the deadline for the report to December 1, 2020.

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:23 pm
I been with the state a few years now. Worked in a few different agencies in that time. Every year or two some big wig has an idea to weither save money or be more efficient or both. It’s always to save money later. Not once have i seen a plan stick to see the savings and anytime we are more efficient we have more work in completing the same task. When coworkers complain I always tell them we are more efficient.

Comment by Union thug Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:25 pm
==This is not an attempt to fix blame or to point fingers at any agency or person.==

Sorry, but I would believe that if the date for the final report wasn’t right before the 2020 election. This will give Republican legislative candidates the opportunity to run on a “see how much waste there is in Springfield” platform. If you really want it to be non-partisan, the date of the report would be December 1, 2020.

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:37 pm
I am in favor of raising the age limit for tobacco to 21. The idea is to keep it out of the hands of high schoolers. Marijuana legalization will also help keep that product out of the hand of high school students by drying up the black market.

The military argument is a red herring since if you are in the military you can smoke cigarettes or drink in base. I suspect they will never allow tou to smoke pot because of some problems they had with stoned jet pilots in the early 80’s.

The drinking age and voting age were actually lowered to 18 during the Vietnam draft. We don’t have an active draft and the GA can certainly revisit the age for tobacco or drinking if we do again have an active draft.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 12:42 pm
just dust off the pile of McKinsey & Co reports sitting in every state agency. They are full of stupid ideas promoted by high-paid scam artists providing market-driven solutions to problems they don’t understand. You want to make state govt more efficient? Start with the personnel code and procurement code.

Comment by 100 miles wedt Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:02 pm
One can vote, a precious right in a democracy but they can not buy cigarettes?

That is absurd. But not surprising coming from some politicians in this state.

Comment by Nonbeleiver Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:22 pm
Nonbeleiver -
You can’t take your 15 year old high school girlfriend with you and let her vote. You can bring her cigarettes. That is the difference.

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:31 pm
Nonbeleiver triumphs over the strawmen

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:37 pm
Plummer finally bought.. I mean.. won a seat. He’s doing nothing but throwing red meat out. Glad his daddies money could finally buy him a little box to stand on.

Comment by Southfarmllama Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:44 pm
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 1:31 pm:

Nonbeleiver -
“You can’t take your 15 year old high school girlfriend with you and let her vote. You can bring her cigarettes. That is the difference.”

Another strawman argument that runs counter to the larger, more important issue.

And as we well know, people of all ages can buy something for someone younger so that is not really a valid deterrent.

P.S. If it were possible to ban all smoking, drugs and alcohol that would be fine by me. But that is not realistic.

Comment by Nonbeleiver Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 2:15 pm