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* May 11 Tribune editorial…
With Illinois’ unemployment numbers surging amid a global pandemic, and with thousands of laid-off workers struggling to make ends meet — not to mention tanking state revenues — you might think state government would be firing on all cylinders.
You might also think, given the state’s precarious financial condition, that the General Assembly would be meeting in some fashion to address pressing matters, including the completion of a budget. Uh, nope.
House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon have been lying low and canceling legislative session days in Springfield — for safety reasons. Has anyone even seen or heard from Madigan in months? Just because he prefers seclusion doesn’t mean the public and the media should be acquiescing. He leads the party that controls this state.
We know we urged members of the Illinois General Assembly to get back to work in Springfield, but that doesn’t mean we won’t flinch — and protest — after they arrive. Prepare yourselves, taxpayers, because it will be your hard-earned money on the line, as always.
On Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker turned up the volume on his request that lawmakers meet to pass legislation that would include broad relief and compensation measures for Illinoisans hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. “The legislature must convene so that we can begin to put our financial and economic house back in order,” Pritzker said. By Wednesday morning, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon were announcing plans to restart their spring session next week.
Coincidentally or not, the push by Illinois Democratic leaders to get cracking came in tandem with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introducing the Democratic version of yet another coronavirus aid package. Pelosi’s bill comes with an extraordinary $3 trillion price tag, including as much as $1 trillion for states and cities.
Possibly billions to the states? No wonder Springfield is roaring back to life.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 11:58 am
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The constant whiplash must be so painful.
Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:07 pm
“Pelosi’s bill comes with an extraordinary $3 trillion price tag, including as much as $1 trillion for states and cities.”
No one questioned Mitch McConnell when he gave a trillion dollars to Wall Street and the CEO’s of corporations that did not result in the creation of new jobs. Therefore, why are you questioning Pepsi for giving the states money to fight the COVID-19 virus that is costing every state a lot of money?
Comment by Mama Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:07 pm
Dare I say?
The Tribune Edit Board moves to goal posts?
Meet? Ok.
Um… but don’t do anything.
Huh?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:08 pm
Seeing as, idk, it’s our own money we’d be getting back on used to help us, say, instead of paying for another Wall Sreet bailout…what exactly is the problem with asking for aid and why would it be a bad thing for our GA to do it?
It’s almost like the Trib Board WANTS pain and misery.
Comment by Morty Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:11 pm
It’s adorable. Like when a small child blurts out some preposterous notion and the adults smile, nod and say, “That’s right, honey,” as the tyke scampers away, soon to have forgotten what they just declared.
“The grownups are talking, Katrina. Why don’t you go back to your room and write us another one of your cute editorials?”
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:11 pm
The 60 people who read the Tribune are probably confused.
Comment by Wow Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:15 pm
A bit off WOW
it is still the #9 newspaper in America
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_the_United_States
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:18 pm
When was the last time anyone with a brain took seriously any of the drivel the Tribune Editorial Board (their name for it, not mine) outs out?
Comment by Concerned Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:24 pm
$3 trillion isn’t near enough money to bailout the states and cities; it needs to be closer to $100 trillion.
Comment by Angry Republican Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:27 pm
Does anyone actually believe that the legislative leadership scheduled and arranged for next week’s session meeting because Pritzker “pleaded” for it the previous day? (The Trib headline writer’s word.) Or that Pritzker wasn’t already aware that it was at least likely before his presser? Smh
Comment by walker Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:31 pm
“but that doesn’t mean we won’t flinch — and protest“
Does the Trib editorial board do anything else beside professional victimhood?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:50 pm
–No one questioned Mitch McConnell when he gave a trillion dollars to Wall Street–
The rule is pretty simple; bailouts for multi-billion dollar industries, companies, and any amount spent on Pentagon contracts is beyond reproach.
Any other spending must be harshly scrutinized, for fear of the deficit and the recipients not being morally deserving enough.
Comment by Pearly Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 12:53 pm
“Hurry back to work so that we have new material to complain about.”
Comment by Father Ted Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 1:01 pm
Does anyone actually believe that the legislative leadership scheduled and arranged for next week’s session meeting because Pritzker “pleaded” for it the previous day? (The Trib headline writer’s word.) Or that Pritzker wasn’t already aware that it was at least likely before his presser? Smh
The guy from Oswego does…….
Comment by SIU Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 1:01 pm
=== The guy from Oswego does…….===
LOL.
Nah. Nope. No.
I do believe the legislature controls when they go in.
Example?
=== - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 6:04 pm
…
The governor is consistent here;
Said the GA is essential, it’s their call to come back.
Governor further said, they “must” come back… still Madigan‘s and Harmon’s call.
That’s how it works.
Or…
=== - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 4:52 pm
…Why was he (The Governor) harping… it’s still Madigan’s and Harmon’s call.
Keep up, please.===
The governor can’t control the legislature, unless he wanted to call special session… which the governor did not.
Indeed. Keep up.
The governor never compelled them, he said they “must”… but it’s the GA’s call all the same.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 1:07 pm
“it is still the #9 newspaper in America”
In 2016, the presidential candidate endorsed by the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board received 3.79% of the vote in Illinois.
Nationwide, that candidate received 3.27% of the vote.
The political heft of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board is demonstrated in that swing of one half of one percent.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 1:12 pm
==bailouts for multi-billion dollar industries, companies==
The same multi-billion dollar industries and companies in which our state pension systems are invested.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 1:41 pm
“Harmon saw nothing wrong with suggesting that D.C. throw $10 billion in coronavirus spending Springfield’s way to help make up for the state’s decades of irresponsible pension management.”
… so the Tribune editorial board suddenly wants the state legislature to raise taxes to start funding the pensions…?
It’s bizarre that they claim cut cut cut is the only answer then speak out against someone who tries a different answer than cut cut cut.
Comment by Odysseus Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 2:49 pm
=== The same multi-billion dollar industries and companies in which our state pension systems are invested.===
Any pension manager that invests in a company that can’t survive without a bailout is not doing his/her fiduciary duty.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, May 15, 20 @ 6:38 am