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* From a recent Chicago Tribune editorial entitled “4 closing arguments: The case for Bill Daley”…
Daley is the only leading mayoral candidate who talks candidly about the city’s and state’s pension systems. The only way to keep high local and state taxes from skyrocketing and to save pensions for retirees is to amend the Illinois Constitution’s rigid pension clause. That requires action in Springfield. It’s a big lift, but Daley is the only candidate willing to try. “Our pension system is broke,” Daley says. “We cannot tax our way out without making Chicago unaffordable. We can’t cut our way out without compromising our quality of life.”
Daley supports a mix of new taxes to prop up pensions — but he also understands that loosening the language of the Illinois Constitution is the only route to long-term stability. No gimmicks. Real change. We’re hopeful Daley would persuade other leading Democrats, Gov. J.B. Pritzker included, to put pension reform on the ballot.
Daley was by far the best hope for Illinois proponents of an Arizona-style pension reform plan. He supported a similar constitutional amendment to Arizona’s that would ostensibly allow this state to reduce all benefits moving forward. But the plan was never remotely feasible here, and Arizona’s amendments have not yet been tested by the courts. Even so, Daley would’ve been the highest profile mouthpiece for the Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute, the Civic Committee and others who have been banging the drum on this topic for years.
Now, with Daley’s loss, they’re gonna have to find somebody else.
And, by the way, the pundits can blame Jerry Joyce all they want for Daley’s loss. But Daley got smoked in the wards best known for being populated with city workers and retirees. That was no coincidence.
…Adding… Greg Hinz…
Daley got clobbered in sections of Northwest and Southwest Side that are home to many police, firefighters and other city workers by attorney Jerry Joyce. Daley should have done well in such areas in the same way that his brother and father did when they ran for mayor, but the pension issue hurt. Ironically, all of those cops will have to live with a new mayor in Lightfoot or Preckwinkle, both of whom strongly back tough police reforms and increased accountability. But in Springfield, where pension reform already is a very tough sell, Tuesday’s totals will make it even tougher. The message will be: don’t fight the unions. You can’t win.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:34 am
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Someone last night pointed out that the Tribune’s last four big endorsements were Daley, Rauner, Gary Johnson for President in the general, and Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination.
#SoMuchWinning
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:37 am
===From a recent Chicago Tribune editorial entitled “4 closing arguments: The case for Bill Daley”…===
Case closed by the voters.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:40 am
The fact that Proft and his people cozied up to other candidates and not Daley are the clearest sign yet (though it’s close) that he’s less interested in any goal than remaining out of power and acting aggrieved by it.
Comment by Evanstonian Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:41 am
The defeat of the neoliberal Rauneresque Daley is gratifying. He said government doesn’t exist just for its employees, in regards to his wanting to repeal the pension protection clause. A lot of gall, coming from someone whose family has been at the head of government for decades.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:41 am
Illinois, land of government by and for itself.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:44 am
Progressives vs. the Machine, with TP being the Machine.
Stranger than fiction!
Comment by Fav Human Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:45 am
They wont quit banging that “pension reform” drum. Voters have rejected it repeatedly now.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:45 am
Higher taxes won . Not shocking when those who can vote to preserve their pensions do.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:46 am
Daley lost because of Joyce, not pension reform. The pundits are right on this one.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:48 am
Tribune endorsements for the big offices are kryptonite now. The Sun-Times may be small, but that Lori Lightfoot endorsement had an effect on this race.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:49 am
Rich, can you point us to the ward-by-ward vote breakdowns? Did any particularly surprise you?
Comment by Skokie Man Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:50 am
Yep, Joyce prevented Daley from advancing to the runoff.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:52 am
One of the sayings that I’ve learned here
“Once you get the boot on the neck,
you never take it off”
Maybe I’m wrong but I feel more and more
like regular folks are getting closer
to getting a boot on the neck of
Raunerites, Free Market Apostates, and Neoliberals
Am I wrong?
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:52 am
Daley would have been better served to follow the lead of his business community friends at the Civic Committee who have finally accepted the reality that the only solution to the pension problem is to pay the money owed
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:55 am
–But Daley got smoked in the wards best known for being populated with city workers and retirees. That was no coincidence.–
Yes he was. And Lightfoot’s strength was the North Side wards.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:57 am
Attacking government pensions is a non-starter. A sizeable percentage of the population either has a relative working for the government or receiving a pension from a city or state government. Toss in teachers, which most people love, and you have a solid voting block. Plus old retired folks show up at the polls more reliably than almost anybody other than a ward heeler.
Government pensions aren’t quite the untouchable third rail Social Security is … but they aren’t far from it.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:01 am
For those who don’t like that workers are fighting for their pensions, let us know when billionaire anti-tax, anti-union people willingly concede on a graduated income tax.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:05 am
Lest we forget, Daley’s position on pensions was the dominant party position in 2014, embraced by Madigan, Quinn and Cullerton (to a somewhat lesser extent). No longer.
Comment by Quiet Sage Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:08 am
An absolute embarrassment for the Daley family regardless of how you cut it.
One particularly stupid move was bring Gore in to endorse him. Like we really wanted to be reminded of 2000? Clueless.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:08 am
The poaching narrative should be applied to all candidates. Enyia poached from Lightfoot, McCarthy poached from Joyce, Wilson poached from Preckwinkle, Chico poached from Mendoza.
Even without all these candidates, Daley still would’ve struggled.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:13 am
I guess a Trib endorsement ain’t what it used to be.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:13 am
===Daley lost because of Joyce, not pension reform===
A better way of looking at this is that Daley lost because he had no plan to counter Joyce. That’s just stupid politics because Daley’s pension stance fed into Joyce’s votes. He shoulda known that. People who want to make excuses for the guy who had way more money than anyone else are basically just whiners.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:14 am
When you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and need to be a whiner, pensions is the go-to topic. It never fails to provide some folks with perpetual discord. What a life they lead.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:16 am
–But Daley got smoked in the wards best known for being populated with city workers and retirees. That was no coincidence.–
Right on that. Those voters were never going for Daley. Without Joyce they would have gone to Mendoza or someone else but not Daley. He was the arch enemy.
Comment by Eyes Open Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:17 am
== It’s a big lift,==
I’ve never heard doing something illegal (and morally bankrupt) called “a big lift” before.
The Trib should come clean and simply say “since Sam Zell screwed us, you deserve to get screwed too.”
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:22 am
=“Our pension system is broke,” =
A patently false statement.
=Not shocking when those who can vote to preserve their pensions do.=
Yeah, because anyone who engaged in a contractual agreement should allow that to be changed unilaterally 20 or 30 years into the agreement. I am sure hypocrites like you would gladly let the bank jack up your interest rate to 25% to help them out, or pay twice what you aggreed upon for a car.
=For those who don’t like that workers are fighting for their pensions, let us know when billionaire anti-tax, anti-union people willingly concede on a graduated income tax.=
Well put @GOM.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:29 am
===Daley lost because of Joyce, not pension reform===
Those same city workers and retirees would most likely have found someone else not named “Daley” to vote for if Joyce had not run, like Chico, or they would have stayed home.
Don’t you think that city workers were smart enough to know that Daley was the one white guy with the best chance of winning? They voted against Daley for a reason.
Finally, why would we believe the same pundits who never saw the big picture of Lightfoot coming when it comes to the micro-analysis of the race?
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:30 am
Why happened to Mendoza? Wow.
Comment by West Wing Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:33 am
Blaming Daley’s loss on Joyce ignores that there were other groups of candidates that might have appealed to the same set of voters. Mendoza-Chico were 1st/2nd choices in many wards, as were Preckwinkle-Wilson. Had Chico not ran, might Daley have finished 4th?
Either way, Chicagoans had the opportunity to pick a Daley. Just 14.8% chose to do so.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:33 am
I heard non-stop Joyce ads on the radio over the weekend. I could see him picking up votes from people who didn’t like other candidates and just heard his name. I also heard the traditional ward organizations liked him.
There are too many scenarios and its too late to figure out what would have happened if the field of candidates was different. The results are in and we are off to round 2.
Comment by City Guy Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:35 am
In a race this tight with this low of turnout you can find lots of but-for reasons Daley lost, but the perception/reality of being anti-union/worker is the best out there.
I owe an apology to the Sun-Times, who I thought were throwing away their endorsement on Lightfoot, who at the time was down in the polls. Yes, that video clip with the Preckwinkle supporter helped boost her profile, but again it was a tight race and the Sun-Times endorsement was arguably very impactful on the race.
Don’t count out the Empire striking back - a poll I saw on Twitter showed Preckwinkle was a lot of voters “second choice,” including Willie Wilson voters. The runoff is still wide open.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:36 am
===too late to figure out what would have happened if the field of candidates was different===
The field was what it was. Show me a campaign that isn’t based on the reality of the electorate and the ballot and I’ll show you a losing campaign.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:44 am
Joyce’s big number in the 19th Ward was totally expected. But Joyce winning three other Northwest and Southwest Side wards? Inexcusable for Daley.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:53 am
–Either way, Chicagoans had the opportunity to pick a Daley. Just 14.8% chose to do so.–
To me, that’s the second-biggest story of the mayoral, after the historic Lightfoot/Preckwinkle runoff.
The Daley brand in Chicago politics is officially kaput.
The Big-Money/Tribbie Establishment came up weak, too, but they’ll have opportunities down the road again.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:56 am
If you look at the ward map (which is fascinating), Daley got trounced by Joyce in the 19th ward. Obviously there are multiple reasons why Daley didn’t make the runoff (heading Rauner’s transition team was certainly not a smart decision if he was really planning on running for mayor four years later. I’m also sure he might be regretting saying he would vote for Lightfoot if he weren’t in the race at a forum a month ago considering he probably thought that was a safe answer at the time). I just think that reason number one is Joyce. Reason number two is Lori Lightfoot being a tough and impressive candidate.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:58 am
Now we need to liberate Cook County from John Daley.
Comment by Finish the job Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:04 am
–I heard non-stop Joyce ads on the radio over the weekend.–
He was on the TV box a lot, too, during college hoops.
I thought Preckwinkle was conspicuously absent from TV in the final days, given the closeness of the polls.
I’d say Chico and Mendoza got the worst ROI for their buys.
Lightfoot’s “Burke 4″ spot was probably the best ROI of the race, after seeing how she outpaced the polling.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:10 am
The Daley brand in Chicago politics is officially kaput.
Not in the 11th ward
Ward 11 *Incumbent
CANDIDATE VOTES
Patrick Thompson* 7,297
73.9%
David Mihalyfy 2,582
26.1%
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:12 am
===I just think that reason number one is Joyce===
The reason is not dealing with the Joyce issue. Jerry was never going to make the runoff, but he could always be a spoiler. None of this happened in some sort of magical vacuum. If you don’t take him on, you deserve what you get.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:14 am
And liberate the County from Prekwinkle.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:15 am
===Not in the 11th ward===
Well that settles it. A guy with a ballot name of Thompson wins the Daley family ward. The name is still viable!
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:16 am
IL Supreme Court already ruled on vesting.
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:16 am
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson is a smart guy. Smart enough to know where he plays today and where he wouldn’t (citywide).
Comment by ZC Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:19 am
Interesting… I did some digging and examined the wards with the most city workers (13th, 14th, 19th, 23rd, 38th, 39th, 41st, 45th). Lightfoot beat Preckwinkle in all eight wards.
In most of these, both candidates finished well out of the money and well behind both Daley and Joyce. Lightfoot did very well on the NW side in the 39th and 45th, though.
Any thoughts on whether the political organizations in those wards will now lean towards Lightfoot or Preckwinkle come April?
Here are the sources for my numbers…
City Employees by Ward: https://informationportal.igchicago.org/active-employees-by-ward/
Election Results By Ward: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-viz-chicago-mayor-election-results-htmlstory.html
Comment by Skokie Man Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:28 am
Progressives vs the Machine isn’t new in Chicago.
TP being cast in the role of the Machine is rather unusual.
Who would have guessed???
Comment by Fav Human Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:36 am
LP: Patrick Daley Thompson won the 11th ward, therefore everything is a-ok w the Daleys. Dude your embarrassing yourself. Read anything by Len O’Connor or Milton Rakove asap as a start.
*Speaking of getting smoked (sorry its a bit off topic, Rich) but the Cubs candidates did lousy. Lol. Tunney breezed past his opponents and their person in 47th ward got crushed. You’d think w all that cash they’d get some capable advisors
Comment by low level Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:38 am
==TP being cast in the role of the Machine is rather unusual.==
If you saw some of the folks standing behind her during her acceptance speech, you’d disagree.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 11:56 am
Skokie Man, I know in the 38th ward, Rob Martwick had a bad day. He is the Committeeman and backed Prekwinkle who came in 7th in the ward. Now he is stuck with her. Additionally, his buddy Alderman John Arena in the 45th, where Martwicks State Rep office is got knocked out in the 1st round.
Pretty bad day for not being on the ballot. He better hope Prekwinkle wins
Comment by Eyes Open Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:01 pm
I think Word is correct. Aside from the pension issue the Daley brand is let us say the brand of complete fiscal irresponsibility. That was made very clear to the public by Mayor Emmanuel, who repeatedly referenced the fiscal hole when implementing tax hikes. There is no reason for voters to believe another Daley will not be just as bad.
Every property tax payer in this town wants a free lunch including me, every public employee wants a great pension, and no one wants to pay up. Whether it’s one or the other of the finalists, they will have to continue the Emmanuel austerity program along with a mixed package of tax hikes. If they refuse to, watch for a credit strike on the part of financial interests.
I think Preckwinkle will do a better job of the balancing act that will be required. I am very afraid Lightfoot will be resisting the cuts and taxes, and then she will be forced to concede to the power of those who hold the debt on very bad terms eventually. Chicago needs to dig its self out and it will take many years to do this even if we do not get hit by a significant recession again with a dip in revenues.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:14 pm
After years of hinting that he would seek elected office, Bill Daley, the appointee, has run and lost his first race. He behaved like he was expecting a coronation rather than putting in the hours and attending candidate forums and endorsement sessions as often as possible. He appeared at a select few events and declined many other invitations. Now, he can join President Gore and whine that he could have been a contender.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:18 pm
Re: LP
A Former 11warder(suburbanite) told me that the Ward doesn’t have any longevity. Unlike the 13th,14th and 23rd Wards, there are no voters to pull from. The Ward is basically hollowing out. Hipsters and the Chinese from the North, and Hispanics to the West. It’s going to be an interesting remapping process in 2020.
Comment by Papy Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:21 pm
Anyone on the fence was probably reminded who not to vote for when they saw a parking meter yesterday.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:24 pm
This is a bit off topic, and I apologize, but still it is kind of pension-related — at least state employee insurance related: If, somehow, “Medicare for all” came to pass in the U.S., as the House majority is pushing for, would that dramatically affect the state of Illinois’ health care costs for employees? We retirees, when we become Medicare eligible, cost the state a lot less through TRAIL; could this extend to all state employees?
Comment by up2now Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:31 pm
Daley needed the white city worker vote yet decided to declare that he would try to steal their pensions. Might explain why he needed help on that exam.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:31 pm
Bill Daley lost trailing Toni Preckwinkle by 7,000 votes coming in third but beating Susana Mendoza by 30,000 votes.
By your logic the Mendoza brand is what?
“A Former 11warder(suburbanite) told me that the Ward doesn’t have any longevity. Unlike the 13th,14th and 23rd Wards, there are no voters to pull from”
Voter Turnout directly contradicts that argument
13th ward had 11.810 votes cast
14th ward had 6,987 votes cast
23rd ward had 8,488 votes cast
the 11th ward won by Patrick Daley Thompson had 9,879 votes cast
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:54 pm
== would that dramatically affect the state of Illinois’ health care costs for employees? ==
It would depend on the details … how is going to be paid for? Still tied directly or indirectly to employment with the employer paying a tax? Or just through Federal income tax?
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 12:57 pm
The system is not broken just not funded correctly. Here is an idea, let the state employees pay the missing 4%. This stops the problem from blooning any more and only leaves whst should have been paid in all along. Set a schedule for paying in that amount and make it a lay that it has to be paid.
Comment by Anobody Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 1:24 pm
=Here’s an idea, let the state employees pay the missing 4%=
Would these be the same state employees who faithfully paid their share into the pension system every paycheck? The same ones who are not advocating for the contract to be breached? The same ones who are taxpayers?The notion that those who did things correctly should bail out those who refuse to honor their contractual obligations is absurd.
Comment by Bourbon Street Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 1:39 pm
== let the state employees pay the missing 4%==
Ok. What are you giving them in return? Because in order for you to do that you have to offer them something or it doesn’t comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 1:44 pm
I cannot stress enough how fearful I was that there would be a Daley Toni runoff. I had sworn years ago to never vote for a Daley due to his fiscal irresponsibility, especially in his last term. But to then have to vote for Toni who has disappointed on so many levels since a good start as county board president? Ugh. So glad I avoided that and I anticipate voting for Lightfoot in April.
Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 1:46 pm
Anobody - i hope you arent suggesting that current, Tier 2 employees pay for it. Our pensions are already not worth the mandatory payroll deduction.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 2:03 pm
==The system is not broken just not funded correctly. Here is an idea, let the state employees pay the missing 4%. This stops the problem from blooning any more and only leaves whst should have been paid in all along. Set a schedule for paying in that amount and make it a lay that it has to be paid. ==
The missing i4% - isn’t that, plus the resulting missing compounding of it, what should have been paid in all along? If the employee has to pay that in the future instead of the employer, then it’s not a pension, it’s a defined benefit savings plan, with no input from the employer. Which means it probably won’t pass social security muster because its not a pension.
Please, lobby for a tier 3. But first explain how not having any new employees pay into the pension is going to help the pension bottom line for the next 30-40 years. Next,explain how you will handle the significant increase in ongoing employee turnover in technical jobs because they find a better deal elsewhere. Be sure to include how the resulting lack of employee knowledge will somehow not result in problems.
Comment by thougthts matter Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:01 pm
== let the state employees pay the missing 4%==
That would be called breaking the contract obligation and reducing or diminishing the pension and not allowed under contract law and the Illinois constitution.
Comment by Enviro Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:10 pm
Demoralized, how about they be allowed to keep their job?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:16 pm
==Demoralized, how about they be allowed to keep their job?==
Funny. Not.
I’m sorry you don’t like the rules. Take it up with the Courts. I suggest you get over it.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:20 pm
–Bill Daley lost trailing Toni Preckwinkle by 7,000 votes coming in third but beating Susana Mendoza by 30,000 votes.
By your logic the Mendoza brand is what?–
You’re comparing Mendoza to the Daleys?
I’m sorry, I forgot you’re from way-out-of-town.
A little background: the Daley brand won 11 mayoral elections and ruled Chicago (and Cook County, under the old man) virtually as dictators for most of the years between 1955 and 2011.
Mendoza is in her second term as state comptroller.
So, not a whole lot to compare there.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:29 pm
== Demoralized, how about they be allowed to keep their job? ==
For valid consideration, you have to (a) offer something they currently don’t have; does not have to be equal in value and (b) allow the choice to be voluntary with “keep what you have without penalty” as one of the choices.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 3:51 pm
Bill Daley only grew the requisite testicular fortitude to run for mayor AFTER Rahm dropped out. Joyce was one of the first to declare. Reportedly Rich D committed to Joyce and was disappointed when Bill forced his hand. Based on these facts arguably Daley took votes from Joyce.
Comment by TooDaLooMF Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 4:45 pm
RNUG, who says?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 4:58 pm
==The only way to keep high local and state taxes from skyrocketing and to save pensions for retirees==
Only? So progressive taxation (as seen in 34 states) isn’t worthy of consideration?
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 5:09 pm
==who says?==
The Court. They were crystal clear. It’s offer something of value or give them the opportunity to keep what they have. You cannot make any changes without those conditions.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 5:13 pm
“Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 4:58 pm:
RNUG, who says?”
I would like to see a study that looks at the correlation of postings by Nickname “Anonymous” and ridiculous questions.
Anonymous, who doesn’t say (besides IPI and Rauner)?
Comment by Ole' Nelson Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:02 pm
== How about they be allowed to keep their job? ==
This may be a surprise to you, but state employees provide a valuable service to the state that the state won’t get without fair compensation. The state already has enough trouble finding qualified people, so making the compensation less means less efficient government. State employees are not servants of the state who will be glad to accept whatever you give them. If the pay and benefits aren’t competitive, the decent employee will find other things to do. Then, you are left with bad service and inefficient operations.
Comment by Pelonski Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:09 pm
Pelonski, interesting theory but Illinous state government generally provides very poor service. I can’t think of a state agency that does anything particularly well.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:23 pm
The only government agency in Illinois that seems to operate smoothly is Maria Pappas Cook County treasurer office. She consistently does more with less.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:24 pm
== RNUG, who says? ==
The only people who matter in this discussion: 7 Justices on the Illinous Supreme Court.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:25 pm
=The system is not broken just not funded correctly. Here is an idea, let the state employees pay the missing 4%. This stops the problem from blooning any more and only leaves whst should have been paid in all along. Set a schedule for paying in that amount and make it a lay that it has to be paid.=
The Social Security system is broken and not funded correctly. Here is an idea, let EVERYONE but the public/state employees pay the missing 4%. This stops the problem from blooning any more and only leaves whst should have been paid in all along. Plus payback every penny that non SSI eligible TAXPAYERS have paid into SSI with interest.
Then I will pay the 4% to TRS.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:38 pm
There are a few ways to fix the pension issue no one wants to discuss. Tax the pensions. Reduce the salaries so you can fund the pensions. Not hard. Just takes guts. Problem solved.
Comment by Tim Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 6:53 pm
Tim, simple and good solution. No raises for any Tier 1 employee.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 7:05 pm
==I can’t think of a state agency that does anything particularly well.==
Dept. of Revenue.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 7:51 pm
7:51 was me.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 7:52 pm
Daley was the only candidate who proposed giving workers a constitutional haircut. To win this kind of splintered race, you have to appeal to individual voters, not elites. He opted for the money and the love of Crain’s and the Trib, and he got all that, but he let those buyers define his position on pensions.
Like other new candidates, Joyce earned some name recognition, important to future aspirants.
Comment by James Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 8:46 pm
The citizens of Chicago are the biggest losers it appears.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 10:41 pm
=== Simple and good solution. No raises for any Tier 1 employee. ===
Unconstitutional diminishment. Also, de facto discrimination against older workers that no employment lawyer would even be dumb enough to try, no union negotiator would ever agree to, and no judge would ever allow.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Feb 28, 19 @ 9:10 am