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Illinois

* Another person unclear on the concept…

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann Monday said, “it is a nightmare”.

“It” is the status of the Census and the inability of counties to comply with the law as far as redistricting.

Niemann told other board members “I’m supposed to be giving the Board a plan, but no Census data is available.” […]

The redistricting involves making sure the nine County Board districts have approximately the same population. All of the work is to be completed and in place in advance of the Fall 2022 election, when all nine Board seats are up for grabs. There is some sentiment for delaying the election to allow more time to get redistricting completed, which Governor J.B. Pritzker could do by executive order, but Niemann said Pritzker stated that he is getting away from issuing executive orders.

The governor, of course, cannot delay an election by executive order.

* The Question: If you were king of Illinois for a day, what orders would you issue?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:44 pm

Comments

We’d cut back to about ten counties, tops.

Comment by The Opinions Bureau Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:48 pm
Immediate civics 101 lessons.

Comment by Linus Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:53 pm
3% compound pension raise goes 1.5% every other year.

Progressive income tax increase passed and corresponding increase in education funding comes back as property tax rebate.

Order EIU, Governors State and Chicago State college campuses closed.

Direct massive funding to State Fairgrounds in order to totally renovate it.

Order open primary elections.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:53 pm
Three member districts would be back in the House.

Two one party, one of the minority part.

Who knows, maybe thoughtful Republicans could emerge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:57 pm
Would require the teaching of the history of the Horseshoe Sandwich in schools.

All winners of the Golden Horseshoe are exempt from state taxes and property taxes.

Every 8th grader would be required to visit Springfield on a session day. Every legislator would be required to spend 20 minutes each day of session with those kids from their district explaining what is going on and why all those dudes in suits are there.

Oscar is the official state dog.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 2:57 pm
Replace the McCaskeys with ownership that didn’t forget everything they know about running a successful football team decades ago.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:06 pm
Agree with OW — reverse the Cutback Amendment.
Also, I’d abolish several thousand government agencies, and institute merit selection of judges.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:08 pm
“If you were king of Illinois for a day, what orders would you issue?”

That not only “kings” can issue orders:)

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:12 pm
change Scott Drury’s legal name to:
Federale S.Drury

Comment by 10th Ward Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:13 pm
Soldier Field would be a dome.

Superbowls, Final 4s, etc, etc.

Comment by Third Reading Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:14 pm
Agree with OW and Keyrock regarding repealing the Cutback Amendment. Sorry, Pat Quinn.

Threaten to move the Bears back to Decatur unless the McCaskeys start committing to winning.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:15 pm
Follow the Nevada / Florida model of one school district per county - same boundaries, different unit of government.

Outside of extended Metro Chicagoland, 20 counties.

Townships abolished, everything transferred to the county.

All double dipping of pensions ends (police / fire were partially exempt from Tier II double dipping prohibitions).

One snarky order - all House / Senate GOP members must immediately take the course “How to be nice to the minority party” 1993 edition, authored by Pate Philip.

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:16 pm
Change our state motto to:

“In God we trust: all others pay cash.”

RIP JEAN SHEPHERD

Comment by NoOneOfConsequence Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:23 pm
Also another idea regarding reversing the Cutback Amendment, but with a twist. Keeping the 59 Senators and 118 Reps.

Go back to cumulative voting in legislative elections, voting for three. Top vote-getter in the 59 Senate districts elected to the Senate, and the second and third placers go to the House.

Under that system, we could have had “Senate President Michael J. Madigan.”

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:23 pm
=Order EIU, Governors State and Chicago State college campuses closed.
Direct massive funding to State Fairgrounds in order to totally renovate it.=

I guess you get the blue ribbon for that comment. Because fairgrounds are way more important than educating Illinois residents.

Comment by Because I said so.... Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:27 pm
Put the 3% Millionaire tax into place that voters supported back in 2014, mandate that all the money goes toward pension debt repayment.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:28 pm
How much time you got? And King or God? King’s have more limited powers than I would like for this purpose…

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:29 pm
King Decree #1:
There shall be no more corruption in thy fair State.

Comment by Nobody Sent Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:30 pm
ComEd skips a month for customers, spread the wealth

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:31 pm
I’m going to end the retirement income tax subtraction. I’m only getting my crown and throne for one day, so I’m going to do something that will put our state on a better foot going forward that our elected officials lack the courage to discuss, or do so only at their own folly.

===Two one party, one of the minority part.===

I’m not sure if this would make things better or make things worse for the Republican caucus. I’m not sure that geography is going to necessarily impact the selection bias that would occur with people deciding to be a Republican. Folks living in more urban areas that continue to ID as Republican voters may actually be more likely to be more extremist in their view points than someone that hails from a district where the only way to be in politics and win an election is to be in the “conservative” party.

But it’d be fun to watch it play out. If anything, it might make things worse for them in districts they already control as there would consistently be someone running with some measure of success on the Democratic ticket creating an alternative that voters may wind up liking better if the person does a better job with constituency affairs.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:43 pm
I would get rid of township government and have school districts consolidate. I’d be in charge of appointing Effingham County county board reps, the state’s attorney, sheriff, and others from here on out.

Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:44 pm
===I would get rid of township government===

That’s a good one.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:49 pm
Off the top of my head …

1) Merit selection for judges

2) Full time legislators with districts of no more than 75K

3) Abolish JCAR and the process of delegating authority to the executive agencies and overregulation

4) Eliminate Senate consent of executive branch officials

5) Abolish the State Board of Elections and transfer function to a statewide Director of Elections elected by the people

6) Eliminate license plate registration and impose a one-time fee when getting license plates or replacing them

7) Abolish townships and transfer function to county boards

Comment by I were king Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:51 pm
===Follow the Nevada / Florida model of one school district per county - same boundaries, different unit of government.===

This is another great one, but I am just imagining the scores of angry white people egged on by the school board members and district staff that will have to move on to other position.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:51 pm
Legislation allowing Springfield to more easily annex “doughnut holes” and Capitol Township–but with a twist. It requires that the City de-annex Piper Glen and other donut holes surrounded by the Village of Chatham. And Chatham annexes Piper Glen and the donut holes near the Lake surrounded by village limits.

Similar process for Rochester, Sherman, Curran, and Southern View.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:54 pm
All IDOT-maintained highways not signed by State/US highway numbers are required to be numbered, shown on maps, and properly signed (with junction signs and all). Such as Old Route 66.

Any expressways assigned State Highway numbers (e.g., IL-255, IL-6 in the Peoria area, US-34 between Galesburg and Monmouth) get added to the Interstate System (e.g., extension of I-255; perhaps I-374 or preferably get I-180 extended to Peoria pronto; I-174 between Galesburg and Monmouth instead of 34).

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 3:59 pm
Change the name of the state from Illinois to Ill. Seems appropriate for us.

Comment by Beasty Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:00 pm
Another IDOT-related idea.

Require all County Highways statewide to be signed and shown on maps. Using the Letter Routes as in Missouri and Wisconsin (and in Rock Island County), or the alphanumeric county numbering system as in Iowa plus some Illinois counties (e.g., Cook, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, Peoria).

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:03 pm
Revamp the higher education system(s)

The U of I system
The Lincoln University system

Work in junior colleges, Chicago State, Northeastern Illinois, and Governors State as a large system of affordable higher education options

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:09 pm
Progressive taxation.

Districts drawn by computer algorithms, bipartisan committees to adjust to preserve as many city and natural boundaries as possible.

Public school choice (no district boundaries).

Ban on lawyers appearing before judges they have contributed to.

Revamp campaign financing to remove or reduce party funding.

Merit selection of judges at appellate and supreme court level.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:22 pm
(Sorry, I meant reduce party funding *andvantage* - obviously unconstitutional (and silly) to forbid party funding)

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:24 pm
==The U of I system
The Lincoln University system==

I presume the Lincoln University system consists of the directionals (e.g., SIU E & C, WIU Macomb and QCs, etc.). Plus why not throw in Lincoln College (founded 1865 as a private junior college) into the Lincoln U system.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:25 pm
Townships, school districts, library districts, park districts, and other special districts:

- Eliminate and organize them at the County level

Cities

-Allow Cities and Counties to agree on force annexing property into a city.

- Eliminate the distinction between home rule and non-home rule. All are “home rule” with powers restricted only by state law.

Counties:

- No more elected Sheriff, Coroner, Treasurer, Clerk, Recorder, State’s Attorney, Circuit Clerk. All are departments of the County except the State’s Attorney which is appointed by the Attorney General.

- All County Boards have 1 member per 5k population with a minimum of 10 Board members and 1 County Board chair elected at large.

State

- Progressive tax implemented
- Tax retirement income but restrict it to paying for pensions and require a unanimous vote of the legislature to repeal/change it
- No double-dipping pensions
- Consolidate all pensions into one fund and set it up in IMRF style system
- Pass additional 3% millionaire tax
- Change MFT funding to formula based on road design and usage versus population
- Decrease the number of counties to 100
- Increase the number of the State House Reps to 400 (1 for every 32k people) and State Senate to 100
- Declare myself king forever.

Comment by DuPage Guy Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:26 pm
==== Agree with OW and Keyrock regarding repealing the Cutback Amendment. Sorry, Pat Quinn.===
Add me to the list of proponents of this idea.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:36 pm
===I presume the…===

At least twice I’ve gamed out the separations.

* ISU, NIU, SIUE

* EIU, WIU, SIUC

* UIUC, UIC, UIS

* Northeastern IL, Governors State, Chicago State… junior college system.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:39 pm
“All County Boards have 1 member per 5k population”

So, 1,100 people on the Cook County Board??

Comment by Chris Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:56 pm
All winners of the Golden Horseshoe are exempt from state taxes and property taxes.
HUH? Capt Fax told them that already…and it is a fair and just honoraium

Comment by anonnin' Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 4:59 pm
Look, as to the 2022 election, there is always the “bedsheet ballot.” It was used once in the 1960s statewide…it could be used again.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 5:25 pm
“If you were king of Illinois for a day, what orders would you issue?”

Legalize marijuana, bro.

What?

No way‼

Really??

Gnarly, dude‼ 🤙

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 5:27 pm
“… the ‘bedsheet ballot.’ It was used once in the 1960s statewide…it could be used again.”

That election was how the late Elmo McClain, father of Mike McClain, got elected to the Illinois House …

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 5:29 pm
Reinstate the death penalty.
25 yrs no parole for gun crimes.
Lower AAI to 1%.
Eliminate FOID.
STATEWIDE FREEZE on higher ed tuition.
Implement stand your ground.
Mandatory 2 yr military/civil service.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 5:38 pm
Encourage the Eastern Bloc to just join Indiana and spare us any more whining. They’d be happier as Hoosiers.

Comment by jackmac Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 5:43 pm
Governor shall submit a balanced budget every year. But I guess it’s already there somewhere.

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 6:06 pm
After seeing some of the whacky ideas proposed by the “kings”, I’d eliminate the possibility of anyone actually being king for a day, and not only in Illinois, but anywhere.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 7:16 pm
Raise AAI to 10% compounding first year of retirement

Eliminate elected school boards and make them appointed by teachers and administration

Tax retirement income over $75K

Eliminate property tax exemptions

Progressive income tax.

Eliminate Illinois State Board of Education

Eliminate all TIF’s

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 7:33 pm
Will no one rid me of this meddlesome Eastern Bloc?

Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Apr 20, 21 @ 7:52 pm
Eliminate double-dipping pension system and tax these “retirement” funds ~~reality full-time salaries~~ lifted “constitutionally” from taxpayers pockets Yes vote for a new Constitutional Convention in 2028 with sweeping reforms: property tax caps, tax rate, and levy restrictions, progressive taxation, pension retirement taxation

Comment by JaneBurn Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 6:51 am
JBurn Good luck with Con Con 2028 Just 20 years ago in 2008 all the stakeholders in the tax reforms you mention spent $14 Million for a No Vote-Keep-Status-Quo-Trust–Legislators-Not -Voters outspending Yes grassroots organizers by crushing their 1/2 million budget. BTW that election was also tainted with improper ballot language that had to be “corrected” on paper notices. Everyone who failed to vote either way yes or no on the con-con question was counted as a no vote.

Comment by Horse's Mouth Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 7:15 am