Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

6 House Dems signed MOUs with Blagojevich

Posted in:

Illinois

* For months, the House Democrats have claimed that the House Republicans signed memoranda of understanding with Rod Blagojevich on the capital bill last year. The MOUs were reportedly promises to connect votes for the capital plan to support for the governor’s gaming expansion bill Lottery sale.

Turns out, the only people who signed MOUs were the Senate Republicans (as a group) and six House Democrats…

A handful of state lawmakers say they were looking out for their districts and nothing more when they signed agreements with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich last year offering to support his $34 billion, gambling-financed construction spending plan if he committed to local projects.

Those projects never happened as the spending spree stalled, but documents recently turned over to the Daily Herald by now-Gov. Pat Quinn’s office offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes of last year’s contentious power struggles at the Capitol as Blagojevich sought to shore up votes and wary lawmakers pondered their moves.

“At some point you’re here to represent your district and however you can … excuse me for lack of a better term … take the bacon home, you do that. That’s the way the process was going at the time. That’s what I was doing. Trying to take things back to Rockford,” said Rockford Democratic state Rep. Chuck Jefferson. “Maybe it wasn’t as wise as what I thought it was, but, I mean, that’s the way it goes.”

Last July, as Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan waged an almost daily political battle over construction spending, Jefferson signed a memorandum of understanding with Blagojevich in which he agreed to the gambling and lottery plans and the governor agreed to include millions of dollars in Rockford-area road projects.

Jefferson was one of a half-dozen House Democrats to sign such memos with Blagojevich last year. The others were Waukegan state Rep. Eddie Washington, Quad-Cities area state Reps. Mike Boland and Patrick Vershoore, Homewood state Rep. Will Davis and Morris state Rep. Careen Gordon. Then-Senate GOP leader Frank Watson of downstate Greenville had previously signed similar memos on behalf of the Senate Republicans.

Rep. Gordon was a loud critic of Blagojevich, so that MOU is quite surprising.

…Adding… John Patterson expands at his story on his blog…

It had the spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan wondering if there’d been some “shredding.” Steve Brown, Madigan’s spokesman, said House Republicans taunted Democrats last year over how much they were going to get in the $34 billion deal that Madigan was opposing. […]

House Republican leader Tom Cross said there never were any agreements, in large part because there never was any final agreement on the overall spending plan.

* Speaking of House Democrats, Gov. Quinn let loose on former Rep. Kurt Granberg’s pension bump over the weekend…

A “furious” Gov. Quinn wants to undo a $40,000-a-year pension windfall for a former lawmaker who qualified for the deal after serving only three weeks as Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s state parks director.

The State Employees Retirement System decided last month to grant a $113,305 annual pension to former Rep. Kurt Granberg (D-Carlyle), who served briefly as head of the Department of Natural Resources. […]

“I’m furious,” Quinn said. “For him now to seek a huge increase in his pension, I think, is an insult to the people of Illinois. “And I’d say to Mr. Granberg, ‘Have you no decency to take over a million dollars . . . in additional money from the people of Illinois?’ ” Quinn said.

* Semi-related…

* Who were Blagojevich’s early backers?

* Appetizers to a bigger meal

* Quinn praises Legislature for ‘team effort,’ but much work still to be done

* Gov. discusses roads improvement program

* Reform and construction bills: Gov. Pat Quinn-backed legislation responds to scandal and economic crisis

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 11:18 am

Comments

Ahem, emptysuit…what sayeth you now???

Comment by Easy Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 11:34 am
I don’t believe there was any love lost between Granburg and Quinn from way back.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 11:37 am
Lot of self-proclaimed goo-goos on that early backer list.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:16 pm
I would like Steve Brown to explain what the benefit would be to his comical accusation that the House Republican MOU’s had been shredded.

On Dec. 8, Blagojevich still was talking about pushing a capital plan - and would have needed any House Republican MOU.

On Dec. 9, I assume every document in that office was under federal subpoena and/or a document preservation order. And I don’t see any of Blagojevich’s people caring about a Capital Bill MOU at that point - at least enough to risk an obstruction charge.

Comical.

Comment by George Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:19 pm
Granberg from the Suntimes story “”I don’t think it has merit,” Granberg said Friday of Quinn’s attack. “It’s typical Pat Quinn. He goes for PR. There’s usually not a lot of substance. There are more serious issues for him to worry about than a guy from a town of 3,000 people.”

It’s the arrogant retort from Granber that bites for me. He rattled for all to hear/read about he did not want the position to boost his pension but instead was all the greatest he could bring to DNR. Now booted out the door we get this attitude. Granberg, though I realize it is all different funds, your extra 40 thousand a year would pay for an additional frontliner, a badly needed truck or even two, or some much needed repairs on equipment. Yeah, he might get to keep his additional pension for his few weeks of service, but lets not pretend he ever had any love for DNR.

Comment by Princess Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:20 pm
If Gov Quinn is so worried about money, what has done to date about the ridiculous raises at IDOT, this is one thing he could fix immediately, you are not sitting on the sideline now Gov bashing from the stands you are in the game lets see some action pick the phone up call hannig and say cancel the raises and fire the people responsible for this joke, while you have hannig on the phone gov you might want to ask him how much his retirement is going to up after his stint at IDOT

Comment by Anon again Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:27 pm
===If Gov Quinn is so worried about money, what has done to date about the ridiculous raises at IDOT===

Patience, please. He’s addressed that issue already.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:43 pm
Why is everyone down on Granburg? He spent a year making plans for DNR before the appointment was made. An idea like a golf trail is golden. Doesn’t have anything to do with DNR but still it’s got to be worth something.

AFSCME and the other unions representing DNR folks need to keep this kind of BS on the front burner when they are asked to pay more for their pensions.

Comment by Leave a light on George Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 12:53 pm
Thanks Rich, but could you remind us of what he has done about it

Comment by Anon again Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Why is everyone down on Granburg? He spent a year making plans for DNR before the appointment was made. An idea like a golf trail is golden. Doesn’t have anything to do with DNR but still it’s got to be worth something.

Puhlease–a golf trail has absolutely nothing to do with DNR and is not a good idea for DNR. maybe a good idea for a local park district or a group of park districts working together, but never DNR. Grandberg should be ashamed of himself for accepting the pension boost. we are fortunate that Gov. Quinn has appointed a natural resource professional as Director at DNR. now, let’s clear out some of the dead wood at the top of that department and get it back in shape again.

Comment by susie Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 1:49 pm
Susie - That was sarcasm. I’m on your side. I can name some of the dead wood and would like to light the fire to get rid of them.

Comment by Leave a light on George Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 2:28 pm
We need to put the IDOT raises in context.

Unionized state employees (that’s most of them since low and midlevel managers went into the baragining unit recently) are getting a 4% cola increase plus annual increases in the 4% range under the current contract, I believe. That’s on top of overtime, “temporary assignment pay” and other goodies. The impact on the budget is substantial…way higher than a few somewhat questionable raises given to upper echelon IDOT employees with no particular skills. Of course, Dems and the unions would like us to direct our outrage at these IDOT folks so we don’t notice what the more widespread increases are costing us.
Many, many millions.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 3:24 pm
Cassandra your numbers are off. Union employes who have not capped thier salaries get a 4.5% step increase each year. They then get those COLA’s on top of the step increase. Union memebrs are getting effectively a 9% per year raise until they cap their salaries.

Union employees max out their pay level after, at most, 8 years. Merit comp employees usually get far smaller, and for many years 0%, raises. There are merit comp employees who have been with the state 15 or more years and are no where near their salary caps.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 4:13 pm
When will the Daily Herald run the story on the elected officials who stuck their necks out for Paul Vallas? Not all the big shots were lined up for Blago!

Comment by Tom Joad Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 4:43 pm
===When will the Daily Herald run the story on the elected officials who stuck their necks out for Paul Vallas? ===

As soon as those same Dems run away from the new Republican. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 4:48 pm
Ghost states “Cassandra your numbers are off”. And so when does something like facts get in the way of Cassandra’s usual rattle about the underworked, overpaid state employee?

Actually Cassandra, I have no idea which union state employee you’re onto today but negotiated wage increases come (or don’t come) during a FY–July 1st -June 30th. And not all MC’s that went union are in the same union as their underlings. After 32 yrs with the state, no step increase here and a 1 and 1/2 % Jan 09 which was all but sucked away with the other items increased. There is suppose to be a 2 and 1/2 % increase in the new FY 2010 for July 09. As you know, they are busy trying to take that away by increasing pension contributions while they take a holiday in their contributions. That leaves 1/2 %. There is another 2% set for Jan 2010 but they are after 4 day furloughs which well, there goes the majority of the supposed wage increase.

As for your ” That’s on top of overtime, “temporary assignment pay” and other goodies”. You are generalizing. Last temp. duty here was years ago and the assignment lasted 1 year and when I wanted proof of the duty I had to go have them dig it out of payroll as that was the only ‘proof’. The increase in pay was slight and considering the roll of two persons was being performed by one was a pretty good deal for the state. Overtime? Actually the state managed to wiggled it’s way out of the last overtime due here–they managed to think one can drive 2 hours both ways to Springfield and back and attend the all day meetings all in one’s normal work shift, though appearing on the sheet of attendees, can’t prove one traveled to get there (now there’s a nifty trick). And other goodies? Geez, can’t tell you the times here that have had to plead and beg just for proper gear. Where ever the money is in my agency it sure isn’t down around the peons (* the use of ‘here’ meaning my family)

Comment by Princess Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 5:25 pm
Rock Island County Chairman John Gianulis, former Congressman Lane Evans and Congressman Phil Hare were EARLY, BIG TIME BLAGOJEVICH backers also! You can thank those three men the next time you see them.

Comment by Rock Island County Politics Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 5:30 pm
{“I’m furious,” Quinn said. “For him now to seek a huge increase in his pension, I think, is an insult to the people of Illinois. “And I’d say to Mr. Granberg, ‘Have you no decency to take over a million dollars . . . in additional money from the people of Illinois?’ ”}

HAs anyone calculated the projected actuarial cost for the Gary Hanig two step?

Consider that Gary’s compensation virtually doubled to $150,000+, and his GARS pension is calculated on the maximum benefit, which he has vested in 85% of his his salary on the last day of employment, and a 3% annual COLA COMPOUNDED.

Mrs. H; by leaving the SERS for the GARS, is also now entitled to have her GARS pension calculated on the maximum benefit, which she has vested at 85% of her salary on the last day of employment, rather than the 75% of her last 4 year average in SERS, and she will also receive a 3% annual COLA COMPOUNDED.

Between the two of them, the Hanig’s will be bringing home almost $200,000 per year plus benefits, WHEN THEY STOP WORKING FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

Mrs. H. does not even have to run in the next primary in order to gain the 10% maximum benefit boost, and the last day valuation vs,. the last 4 year determination.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 6:01 pm
Seems to me the Governor nailed the substance–all $1 million of it–and served it up with absolutely the right timbre. As for finding the string that might unwind Granberg’s pension payday, I’d start with the pension code itself, 40 ILCS 5/13-804 specifically. There’s a records requirement. Could a record be taken to mean proof that work was actually performed? This requirement gives effect to all provisions of the Act, which, presumably, includes payment. I’ve requested this information (twice) from the former adminsitration about a another legislator / appointee who baked up a rather sweet pension pie. No word yet

Comment by Suzanne Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 6:04 pm
On the IDOT raises, you must remember that a lot of them are covered by Teamsters Union. They got 1.5% in Jan, and they will get 2.5% in July. That isn’t anything like the raises of the higher ups at IDOT. You then have a lot of them that received large raises, and on top of that, there are numerous ones get temporary assignment or interim assignment pay. And of course, these are what they called “seasoned employees.” Yeah, right, they have been there only since Blago took over.

They also need to see where the headcount is. We have far too many chiefs and not enough indians since Blago and I keep waiting with bated breath for people to get their walking papers. So far, we have lost one director since Hanig took over. When are others going to go?

Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 6:04 pm
Anon, which Director did we lose? I know Sees is gone but he was Secretary. Has a Director been booted?

Comment by Alexandra Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 8:41 pm
Rich

is there a list of the MOUs?

Comment by anon Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 8:44 pm
Stanley Moore was the director of the Office of Business & Workforce Diversity that was let go from IDOT. He was based out of Chicago.

Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 6, 09 @ 10:28 pm
To those sounding off on the state employee increases you do not know of what you say. After 4 years of no increases, and an increase of 4% to what we pay for our pension, we finally got a contract and one year’s raise. We currently have no contract since last July and are facing, if Quinn’s package goes through, a 7% cut in wages and benefits. The AFSCME people got, I believe a 1 1/2% increase and a 2 1/2% increase and are facing the same 7% cut.
On the other hand the legislators got their COLA increase in spite of their ” we will take no raise vote”. They are not facing the 7% cut. Taxpayers will face a 1.5% cut in their salary. So before you start in on the rank and file state workers put things in perspective.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:20 am