Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: If you’re gonna vote ‘No,’ then at least have the guts to explain it
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** The people of Alexander County are getting the short end of the stick yet again and nobody, including the governor, seems to care all that much
Posted in:
* WGEM…
House Republicans unveiled their main goals for the spring session Wednesday. Caucus members hope to “reimagine Illinois” with significant reforms.
Republicans renewed their call for fiscal responsibility, job growth, public safety, and an end to corruption in Springfield. Members want to use the first year without former Speaker Mike Madigan to try and pass many of the proposals they’ve had for years.
They hope to ban lawmakers from lobbying while in office, allow citizens to petition for amendments to the state’s constitution, and give every lawmaker the opportunity for a floor vote on their proposals. Republicans also plan to pass bills requiring balanced budgets and complete transparency in the budgetary process allowing for public comment.
“This is important that people realize that House Republicans are not the party of no. We’re prepared to move forward,” said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). “We want this state to survive, we want this state to thrive. We want our kids and grandkids to have availability, we want them to have opportunity.”
The HGOP’s new website touting the ideas is here.
The four pillars of the platform to improve state government include addressing corruption, fiscal responsibility, creating jobs, and ensuring public safety.
“Illinois used to be a powerhouse. We were not only a powerhouse in the Midwest, but in the entire nation,” said Rep. Mike Murphy. “We have lost our way. It is time to refind our way and that will come with Reimagine Illinois.”
The group did not hide the fact that it opposed new justice laws brought forth by the Illinois Black Caucus which include police reforms. State Rep. Avery Bourne said the laws are prompting would-be police officers to consider another profession or leave the state.
“We have to make the profession one where good people want to go in and they are able to do their job and protect the public without these problematic bills that have passed recently,” Bourne said.
House Republican leader Jim Durkin added the justice reform bill that became law is a mess and an inoperable disaster for the practitioners, judges and anyone else involved.
“It vilifies police officers,” Durkin said. “It creates new standards and duties upon law enforcement officers that were created for no other reason than to trip up law enforcement officers.”
* Capitol News Illinois…
Rep. Mike Murphy, of Springfield, chairs the initiative. At Wednesday’s news conference, Murphy said he was asked by Minority Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs several months ago to lead the group and “present a comprehensive framework of proposals that we believe resonates throughout the entire state.”
“I expressed some concerns about us being the party of ‘no’ a lot of times,” Murphy said in a podcast uploaded to the Reimagine website, reimagineillinois.com. “We need to do a better job of messaging rather than just saying what’s being proposed is bad.” […]
Durkin said he’s open to working with Democrats on anti-corruption and transparency measures, a notion that House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has reciprocated in a departure from his predecessor, former Speaker Michael Madigan.
Madigan and his legacy were mentioned several times by Republicans on the Reimagine website and at their news conference as the reason many of the proposals are necessary.
* SJ-R…
Bourne said House Republicans have filed 81 bills to address the four areas. Specifically, they want to ban lawmakers from lobbying, allow citizens easier access to introduce constitutional amendments, tackle pension reform through either an amendment or the legislative process, reduce regulations on employers, reform gun laws and find a way to recruit and retain police officers.
“Our purpose is to present a comprehensive framework of proposals that we believe resonates throughout the entire state,” Murphy said. “These are not just talking points. We have legislation to back up these platforms.” […]
Democrats have proposed legislation similar to proposals by Republicans on some topics. Democrats have committed to pursuing ethics reform. Pension reform once received bipartisan support before the agreed upon constitutional amendment was struck down by the Illinois Supreme Court.
“At the end of the day, what matters is we have common-sense legislation,” Murphy said when asked if Republicans would back similar bills from Democrats.
* Sun-Times…
On the budgeting front, Bourne said the Republican platform focuses on making sure spending plans are “truly balanced, mandating transparency in the budgeting process,” including a 72-hour waiting period before the state begins spending money, saving the state’s pension system and tackling government inefficiency.
Bourne pointed to eliminating over-regulation and mandates, and creating better apprenticeship programs to train people for jobs as a way to build jobs in the state. On public safety, Bourne said there needs to be a “back the badge” program and either a reform or repeal of the state’s FOID system among other things. […]
Durkin said he’s already talked to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch about taking up pension reform this session and conveyed that, should the Democrats want to address the state’s fiscal woes, they “will have a partner in the House Republicans.”
“It’s up to them,” Durkin said. “They have the agenda, it’s up to them whether or not they want to take on, and go back and address the pension disaster that we have,” Durkin said. “Out of every dollar, 25 cents of it goes towards our pension systems, and this is going to get higher and higher until we do something. It’s not going to be solved by putting a constitutional amendment forward that’s going to have a graduated tax that’s going to fund our pensions, it’s going to have to be reformed within the system.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:44 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: If you’re gonna vote ‘No,’ then at least have the guts to explain it
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** The people of Alexander County are getting the short end of the stick yet again and nobody, including the governor, seems to care all that much
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
“We’re not against everything, just the stuff the Democrats propose”
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:49 am
“State Rep. Avery Bourne said the laws are prompting would-be police officers to consider another profession or leave the state.”
She could substitute teachers for police officers and the same is also true. Illinois is the most over education mandated state in the entire union.
Comment by Intheknow Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:50 am
=== Bourne said… allow citizens easier access to introduce constitutional amendments, tackle pension reform through either an amendment or the legislative process===
That’s the Rauner Agenda, being pushed by a Raunerite who voted no in committee to Asian American studies
These aren’t new pillars, it’s changing the wrapping on a terrible tasting candy bar no one bought before.
If Bourne can’t grasp the pension issue, the constitutional aspects and the ILSC ruling, that’s one thing to incompetence. It’s another to sell this as possible and know things like the pension crisis and the solutions and still tell people these phony things.
Bourne lacking… again. Then throw in the Asian American education vote in committee, maybe it’s not lacking, it’s on brand.
Right? Exactly right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:51 am
===State Rep. Avery Bourne said the laws are prompting would-be police officers to consider another profession or leave the state.===
Makes you wonder what kind of police officers Bourne wants… hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:53 am
Heard Bourne on the radio, didn’t come off as bipartisan. It sounded like complaining vs real legislative ideas.
Comment by BTO2 Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:54 am
This new “campaign” to “reimagine” Illinois is basically the same stuff they have always run on. Where’s the beef?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:57 am
Public safety?
Coming from the crowd who most recently advocated against covid-19 mitigation measures and who’s spiritual/political brethren attempted to violently overthrow the federal government, I’d _have_ to assume that this is a dog whistle.
Comment by dan l Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:58 am
==“Illinois used to be a powerhouse. We were not only a powerhouse in the Midwest, but in the entire nation,” said Rep. Mike Murphy. “We have lost our way. It is time to refind our way and that will come with Reimagine Illinois.”==
Let me remind Rep. Murphy we were a “powerhouse” because we financed our “powerhouse” economy by diverting pension paymnets to fund the government.
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:01 am
- “Illinois used to be a powerhouse. We were not only a powerhouse in the Midwest, but in the entire nation,” said Rep. Mike Murphy. “We have lost our way.“
Illinois still is a powerhouse that is being bled dry financially by Federally supporting poor Republican “scorched earth” States.
It’s time for Illinois taxpayers to demand that their money is spent on Illinois.
Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:04 am
You’re saying they said no to being the party of no. That’s on brand.
Comment by puh-leese Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:05 am
“without these problematic bills that have passed recently,” Those bills didn’t just come out of a vacuum, they addressed a real problem. What do you say we deal with that first?
“At the end of the day, what matters is we have common-sense legislation” One man’s trash is another man’s common-sense.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:05 am
More hyperbole on the criminal justice reform bill. Are they just throwing red meat to the base, or do they have polling data that suggests they can swing competitive districts with this line of attack? Really, I’m generally curious about this because the House GOP is talking it up like it’s their new Mike Madigan.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:05 am
“it’s going to have to be reformed within the system”
Hooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:11 am
===address the pension disaster that we have,” Durkin said… “…it’s going to have to be reformed within the system.”===
This shows me the entire effort is not a serious attempt to solve problems. The Party of Nonsense isn’t any better than The Party of No.
Comment by Simple Simon Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:12 am
==Caucus members hope to “reimagine Illinois” with significant reforms.==
I’m picturing Pat Boone, in full 1950s regalia, doing his best cover of the John Lennon song.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:15 am
=“They have the agenda, it’s up to them whether or not they want to take on, and go back and address the pension disaster that we have,” Durkin said. “=
No. If you contend that pension reform is attainable despite the rulings of the Illinois Supreme Court, it’s up to YOU to make the argument. Arguing that 25 cents of every dollar is going to pensions is like complaining about the interest charged on your credit card while ignoring all the stuff you bought with it.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:15 am
The pure genius to the lemmings that Raunerites want to keep from leaving is… they are packaging the same Raunerite garbage either rejected, impossible, or legally unhinged to the actual… but… saying… “we vote yes to… “… or “join us in this so we all vote yes… “
See, you go on the offensive with Raunerism, as trying to “build consensus” around the already rejected platform.
I mean, it’s genius to the lemmings, it allows “Statehouse Chick”, Kass, Proft, to prattle on and on about the “yes”, but in reality, the reason the Raunerites are the party of no is these policies have no consensus to 60/71 and 30/36 so these Raunerites must vote on actual policy that can change things or reinvent government… because being bereft of passable or legal avenues means you can’t be for working towards progress.
The racial underpinnings to the crime reform bill that Raunerites want, but want unsaid… they’ve been better at hiding that prong, but the “back the blue” says a great deal these days.
If the goal of the exercise is to keep the lemmings by packaging “yes” to an agenda and asking “others” to embrace Raunerism… passively… it’s a real hit to exactly the people they already have.
What exactly in this packaging brings new folks in?
Maybe the goal isn’t to bring new folks in… you know… others who don’t look “like them”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:27 am
They’re not the party of “No”, they just don’t want the government to do anything, especially any spending.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:29 am
“it’s going to have to be reformed within the system.”
Isn’t that why we have Tier 2?
Comment by DuPage Teacher Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:31 am
@OW
===If Bourne can’t grasp the pension issue, the constitutional aspects and the ILSC ruling, that’s one thing to incompetence.===
Yet a constitutional amendment would allow for a change to the pension structure. ILSC rulings are void if an amendment would pass. There in lies the obvious rub as it would be near impossible to get the General Assembly to put this amendment on the ballot short of an absolute tanking of state finances that would decimate services. (Bonds & Pensions get paid first)
Comment by Nadigam Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:32 am
=== Yet a constitutional amendment would allow for a change to the pension structure.===
What is owed, is still owed.
It’s not charging anything that is already existing.
That’s the rub.
The Raunerites are trying, desperately, to sell they can change existing parameters, but in reality, not a one, seems to come at the idea that what is owed is owed, so…
… oh, they “get there” when pressed because looking utterly ridiculous to those who follow this might be a bad look, but the silly folk they can leave room for confusion, boy, they ain’t clarifying anything.
This is where your own honesty, and it’s much appreciated to an important discussion, kinda in of itself mocks that room for confusion Raunerites crave to mislead;
===There in lies the obvious rub as it would be near impossible to get the General Assembly to put this amendment on the ballot short of an absolute tanking of state finances that would decimate services. (Bonds & Pensions get paid first)===
So in the end, what are they voting yes to here?
It only works if the magic trick includes embracing that 60/71 and 30/36 won’t happen, and losing is actually winning to their subgroup.
This isn’t a reset, this is a repackage.
It’s embarrassing, but it’s all they got?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:39 am
“ILSC rulings are void if an amendment would pass”
*cough* contract clause *cough*
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:39 am
[Insert GIF of a theater full of people laughing hysterically.]
It goes to your definition of what yes is. The GQP can repackage their negative agenda anyway they want it still comes out the same. It helps the people that don’t need it while penalizing the people that do.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:40 am
I went to the website and there were a lot of words there. There were several instances of fiscal responsibility, but I couldn’t find a link to the specific budget cuts they’re proposing - can someone point me to that?
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:43 am
Nothing on the environment (which has broad appeal), or even natural resources protection (which plays well with with GOP minded hunters, anglers, etcetera).
Comment by DoinStuff Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:44 am
=The Raunerites are trying, desperately, to sell they can change existing parameters, but in reality, not a one, seems to come at the idea that what is owed is owed, so…=
Actually what Durkin is suggesting is far worse than that. He’s not only dishonestly saying that legacy pension debt can be “reformed” he’s also demanding that Democrats make the unconstitutional argument.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:49 am
Also a good lesson on immigration, naturalization, and citizenship.
I’d say that’s relevant.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/chinese-exclusion-act/
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:55 am
- Pundent -
In “March Madness” parlance, I threw up the alley-oop, you dunked it.
:)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:57 am
== Yet a constitutional amendment would allow for a change to the pension structure. ILSC rulings are void if an amendment would pass. ==
Can’t unilaterally change State and US contract law.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:09 am
I know the echo chamber knows this, but for the thousandth time- the annual pension cost is not the issue, it is actually going down and has been for over a decade. To the tune of $500 million of more.
The issue is the legacy debt, which no constitutional amendment or wishing upon a star can do anything about. It is just math people, the legacy debt has to be paid.
But this is on message for the GQP, someone should call animal control because these guys are always beating a dead horse.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:13 am
This is actually my problem with Illinois Republicans. All they do is complain, always. It’s either Madigan’s fault, Pritzker’s fault, Chicago’s fault etc… But they are never ever responsible. I live in NW Illinois or “downstate”, the level of hate for everything Illinois is thick here. But what makes it worse is our elected leaders and their social media pages. Our County Republican Party page, our State Rep’s page and every page in between. Not problem solvers, but problem complainers. This does nothing to help us move forward.
Comment by Westender Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:16 am
Nope, we’re not the party of no. Not us, never, no, no we’re not.
=== I couldn’t find a link to the specific budget cuts they’re proposing - can someone point me to that? ===
Joe B, just reimagine it.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:17 am
Mr./Ms. Perrid
“they’re not the party of “No”, they just don’t want the government to do anything, especially any spending.”
Untrue there is spending associated with many ideas ….. their cop ideas will cost $$$ just to settle the lawsuits it inspires
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:18 am
–allow citizens easier access to introduce constitutional amendments–
The horror! Actually, I *wouldn’t* want too easy access for proposing amendments, but one reform is desperately needed. With the anti-gerrymandering amendments, the Dem majority on the Supreme Court shouldn’t have been able to avoid ruling on the question of whether -any-petition could constitutionally amend the current scheme. There should be a process where the ILSCOTUS will review a petition for constitutional muster. There should be a certain minimum number of signatures so the court isn’t overburdened by such requests and to weed out frivolous petitions. This would prevent things like the majority on the ILSCOTUS refusing twice to rule on the question of whether -any- petition could constitutionally change the redistricting process, effectively saving that bullet for later and daring proponents to spend millions of dollars to try again in what might be a futile effort (regardless of whether the petition was fine in all other respects).
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:42 am
==The issue is the legacy debt, which no constitutional amendment or wishing upon a star can do anything about.==
This is why Rauner was worse than Blaojevich. Remember hearing Rich Brauer making that very point (he was a Rep. at the time, and said 5 out of 6 pension dollars went to the legacy debt). Organizationally, Rauner performed a lobotomy on the Illinois Republican Party, replacing the likes of Brauer & Poe with Bourne & Murphy. And it shows.
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:44 am
To the post. To the extent the Republicans have any agenda at all it is an unpopular one. That was reaffirmed in the most recent race for Governor. Unfortunately they don’t seemed to have taken stock in where they find themselves. They are the minority party for a reason. They continue to operate, as they did in the Rauner years, with the notion that somehow Democrats have an obligation to advance their unpopular agenda. Standing in opposition is one thing. Expecting your opponents to make arguments that you’re incapable of making yourself will only seal your fate as the minority party.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:53 am
Living in the past tense
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:53 am
=== Actually, I *wouldn’t* want too easy access for proposing amendments, but one reform is desperately needed.===
(Sigh)
No. What *is* needed is a Constitutional Convention.
Both sides, all sides, should embrace that.
Why don’t they?
The Raunerites don’t because then real work to change the constitution will be seen, and results will be required.
That’s why this phony idea of “changing how” is a ruse, not actually based on the want.
The Dems may not want, but I’ll let that part of the equation simmer a bit since since this post is really about the phony that this whole Raunerite repackaging tries to sell.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:07 pm
So still the party of no?
Comment by Todd & Margo Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:25 pm
Well, to be honest, the GQP, is much more than just the party of No. They are also the party of grandstanding, and “Reimagining” the same old worn out baloney of yesteryear. So, they’re multi-faceted.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Being the Party of YES is not necessarily anything to embrace either.
It al depends on what you are saying YES or No to.
Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:58 pm
Let me know when they state what specific lines in the budget they want to cut and which state facilities will be closed as a result of the cuts. Until then, nothing more than yelling at the wind and recycling the tired same old message.
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:42 pm
=“I expressed some concerns about us being the party of ‘no’ a lot of times,” Murphy said=
Like NO budgets?
Used to be a powerhouse?
How did four years of tearing down the public image of the state support building a powerhouse?
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 2:54 pm
=- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
Let me know when they state what specific lines in the budget they want to cut and which state facilities will be closed as a result of the cuts. Until then, nothing more than yelling at the wind and recycling the tired same old message.=
Thank you for that comment.
Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 4:48 pm
Oops. I’m on the wrong thread.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 5:49 pm
Denigrate or legislate, your choice.
Comment by Snarkie from Schaumburg Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 6:29 pm