Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Reform marches on… Kinda

Posted in:

Illinois

The Illinois Chapter of Americans for Prosperity based in Chicago and Judicial Watch Inc. based in Washington, D.C., filed suit in Sangamon County. They allege that both offices repeatedly denied requests under the Freedom of Information Act to release information about how a lump sum of $1.7 billion was spent in fiscal year 2008. [Emphasis added.]

Today…

Senate President John Cullerton is making peace with a government watchdog group that sued his predecessor to get access to a secret list of legislative earmarks.

Cullerton (D-Chicago) has provided Judicial Watch a list of legislative projects kept by ex-Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) and vowed that any similar grants approved in the upcoming 2009-2010 state budget will be identified individually for public scrutiny.

Under Jones, Senate Democrats had $18.7 million for legislators’ pet projects in the 2007-2008 budget year but fought to keep those projects and their sponsors secret, arguing the records were exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) put his members’ projects online at the time.

“There will be no more buckets of money handed out from the caucus for members to kind of distribute as they will,” Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said. [Emphasis added]

Kudos to Cullerton for settling this suit and barring this practice from here on out. But, unless I’m missing something, it appears the problem may not have been nearly as bad as the plaintiffs suggested. The actual amount was about ~~ten~~ one percent of what was originally alleged.

Also, take a look at the project list. [Fixed link] Most of it is pretty run of the mill stuff.

* Meanwhile, the judges are already calling Springfield about this reform…

The legislation makes the basis for General Assembly and judicial pensions the average of the highest four years of salary out of their final 10 years of state employment. Currently lawmakers’ pensions are based on their final salary.

The change cleared the House without opposition. In the Senate, only Quad-Cities Democrat Mike Jacobs voted against it. It now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn who has supported similar reforms.

You usually only hear from judges at the Statehouse when legislators are debating pay hikes. Now, they have another topic. Pensions.

* Here’s a Statehouse truism: Lobbyists always grumble, whether they’re good government types or just hired guns. They always grumble about their bills…

There is private grumbling among good-government groups that lawmakers are reluctant to act on the most sweeping ethics proposals. But most are maintaining a public display of optimism, even as they work behind the scenes to get whatever deal they still can with the two Chicago Democrats who will ultimately decide what bills move — House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. […]

Already, a number of proposals offered by Quinn’s reform commission have been discarded. Recommendations to limit the amount of time that legislators can serve top leadership roles and to make it easier to allow bills to get a vote have been set aside for now by lawmakers.

The commission’s call to move back the state primary balloting closer to the general election, aimed at lessening the costly role of fundraising, has fallen. Quinn’s push for public recall of elected politicians has been shunted aside by lawmakers, and the commission’s call to overhaul the partisan process of drawing legislative districts won’t get a vote this spring.

No surprise on any of it. The remap reform is the most important thing they could do to shake up the General Assembly, but they love them their maps. They’ll probably never do it on their own. A big reason I wanted a constitutional convention last year was so the idea at least had a chance.

* Related…

* Cook’s veto override bill is dying in House: House sponsor Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg) said he has no idea why the bill went nowhere in the House. He’s “still trying to breathe life into it,” he said, and maintains hope that Madigan will release it.

* Committee hearing delayed on Speaker Madigan’s bill to fire state employees: Bob Reed, a spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn, said administration staff “are in discussion with Speaker Madigan and Senate President (John) Cullerton’s office to ensure the bill is properly focused and also financially and administratively responsible.” He declined further comment.

* Blanket firings would do more harm than good

* PJStar: Fumigation is fine, but state needs true fixes more

* State lawmakers aim at stopping fat end-of-career pension boosts

* $40,000 yearly pension for 19 days in office means this must be Illinois

* McCarthy puts his neck on the block for pension reform

* The heart of pay-to-play: The Illinois Reform Commission recommends a long list of changes to make the process more open, fair and honest. At the top of the list is a smart idea: Install a statewide “czar” dedicated to insulating purchasing officials from political arm-twisting, and ensuring greater consistency, accountability and transparency in the way the state spends its money.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:16 am

Comments

List still does not open

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:33 am
At least cullerton came clean. Madigan never released all the MOUs signed by his members and Blagojevich, thankfully the press finally exposed them.

Comment by Easy Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:35 am
==They’ll probably never do it on their own==

They have no incentive to do so. They will Never do it…it has to come from somewhere else.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:39 am
–* Committee hearing delayed on Speaker Madigan’s bill to fire state employees: Bob Reed, a spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn, said administration staff “are in discussion with Speaker Madigan and Senate President (John) Cullerton’s office to ensure the bill is properly focused and also financially and administratively responsible.” He declined further comment.–

Sounds like the real list is being drawn up. Kind of like Sonny, Clemenza and Tessio did after Vito had that unfortunate incident at the fruit stand.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:41 am
Not to be picky, but it’s actually only 1 percent of what Judicial Watch was saying.

Comment by Just Sayin' Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:45 am
So a purchasing “czar”?

Uh huh. Sure. A “smart” idea?

Please.

I know a bit about purchasing and the maze that is CMS and political arm-twisting.

Who is it that makes sure the czar isn’t on the take?

This sounds like yet another lame attempt to “centralize” or “consolidate” — favorite Blagojevich buzzwords.

Centralization means someone — a consulting firm, usually — is making a lot of money and state is saving no money.

My guess is the first “czar” would last no more than 12 months. We’ll be reading about his or her removal in less than a year.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 10:57 am
Thanks, Just Sayin’. Moving too fast, apparently.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:10 am
Madigan didn’t say the employees affected by his fumigation bill would be fired outright, he said they would have to reapply for their jobs. That’s hardly the same thing. High ranking state employees are annoyed that anyone would question their worth, of course and irritated that they have to pull togther a description of what they’ve been doing in exchange for their high salaries and great benefits. It cuts into, well, lunch and stuff. But most of us in essence work in situations where our jobs are on the line every day.

And for those agency heads who are about to be appointed or who are staying, they should be thrilled at the opportunity to re-interview the people working for them and perhaps replace a few
and promote some deserving lower echelon folks.

My “don’t rehire” candidates include the head of DHS, under whose watch Howe Cevelopmental Center lost its federal certification, costing Illinois taxpayers tens of millions of dollars extra annually, not to mention the pain inflicted on Howe residents by this incompetently run agency.
I can’t believe Quinn has left her there. I can’t believe she hasn’t had the grace to resign.

Also, anybody who is eligible for retirement
under Illinois’ generous Rule of 85. These folks aren’t going to starve and anybody who has been working for the state for over 30 years needs to move aside and let somebody young and energetic
have a chance. In this employment market, we citizens have a chance to bring some real winners into state service. We shouldn’t have to wait until Lisa takes over in 2011 to do so.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:22 am
Easy:
dear mr magoo, all the MOUs in Madigan’s possession were posted on line when executed — years ago.
The recently released MOUs were in Blagoof’s possession.
Nice try. Stick with the Circular Firing Squad

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:37 am
From the McQueary article on Kevin McCarthy and pension reform:

As for the state’s unfunded pension liability, Quinn is working on a plan to ramp-up the state’s obligations, which should appease the unions. For years, lawmakers and former governors have skimped on the full amount the state owes to pensions in order to free up money for basic state services. As a result, the state owes the pension system billions of dollars. The unions claim that factor - not overly generous benefits - are bankrupting state government.

Actually, Quinn’s proposal was the opposite of what she claims. Quinn proposed realizing all of the potential future pension reform savings this year as a reason to not make a very large payment to the pension system that would reduce the unfunded liability.

Comment by Scooby Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:40 am
Speaking of Circular Firing Squad that new ad is gripping and should catapault them to total victory in 2010 — not.
When did the media quit caring about pols stealing their video and audio?

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:46 am
Cassandra, please read the federal Hatch Act, and then let us know if you have figured out how the state could legally fire, or even threaten the employment, of all of the many federally-funded positions among the list of 3,000. Further, your comment regarding retirement-eligible employees would show that you are OK with age discrimination. Your suggestion isn’t even close to being legal.

Comment by Bird Dog Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:53 am
>>The remap reform is the most important thing they could do to shake up the General Assembly, but they love them their maps. They’ll probably never do it on their own. A big reason I wanted a constitutional convention last year was so the idea at least had a chance.

Comment by muon Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:56 am
When you hit the link for the list of Senate projects and your browser attempts to follow that link add “f” to the end of the url string completing “pdf”, and you will have the list.

Comment by Sinequanon Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 11:56 am
Redbyrd-i highly doubt the omnipotent one didn’t know his underlings were cutting backroom deals with blago. Transparency is not the omnipotent ones forte

Comment by easy Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Contribution limits?
Change the subject to “pension ethics.”

Term Limits and clip MJM’s wings?
Change the subject to “mass fumigation.”

Ginormous budget deficit?
Change to subject to…

Comment by EmptyByrdParade Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:07 pm
Bird Dog–

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. After a good grilling by somebody representing the interests of the taxpayer and not of state employees fearing retirement boredom, maybe at least a few of them would have the grace to resign.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:13 pm
Scooby — Quinn is changing his mind. While his budget address did not include an infusion into the pension system, he is now reconsidering. Watch for his change of position in the coming days/weeks.

Comment by Updater Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Look at all the $20K for “after school” programs on the list (Hendon, Trotter, etc.). Aren’t these the ones the Tribune discovered don’t really exist?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:57 pm
Easy Magoo
The Speaker knew about the MOUs by the HGOP, but not the others. It is a shame those got lost

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 1:00 pm
You’re right, Anonymous. I should’ve wrote above that not much is particularly controversial except the stuff we’ve already seen.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Of course, looking at his pre-election statements and pledges it would have been perfectly rational to appoint Rod Blagjevich purchasing Czar. I wonder how that would have turned out? You can’t fix stupid.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 1:32 pm
Kudo’s to Cullerton and Americans for Prosperity.

Now, will Senator Cullerton allow a floor vote on House Bill 35 “Illinois Transparecny and Accountability Portal” that AFP and Rep. Tryon have been working on for the last couple of sessions?

That will be a real step forward towards reform.

Comment by Moving towards reforms? Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 2:25 pm
===That will be a real step forward towards reform. ===

Everyone probably has a different idea what “real” reform is, and even reformers can’t agree (ie Quinn and the commission on recall). So it would be best if we all backed away from those sorts of stark terms. Myself included.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 2:56 pm
Enough state employee bashing. You’ve been on the same track for years here. You have a bone to pick with single agency director? Fine. Get in the line.

I got a bone to pick with a lot of state agency directors and a lot of corporate CEOs. That’s just how things are. There’s as many (or more, I suspect) hack CEOs in Illinois than there are hack agency directors. The agency directors get the bitter beefs from current/former civil servants — but that comes with the job.

Everybody agrees that any given agency director at any given time is (pick one): (a) a hack, (b) an idiot, (c) a a favor to someone, someone, somehow.

We’ve heard it all before. It’s tired griping — and in many cases it’s simply not true. What you haven’t heard — or won’t acknowledge — is the pressure that Blagojevich’s antics put on many, if not all, state employees. The fact that good people have stayed — and continue to work hard despite Madigan’s bizarre (and sorely misplaced) threats — is a testament to the way many good folks feel about public service. State folks are easy targets. They’ve always been — and that, too, is part of the game. They’re easy targets because they *do* get decent benefits and *do* get a pension. That’s a *good* thing — and I suggest that more corporate folks (if they’re interested) look toward the state for employment. If you don’t like your corporate job or worry about your 401K and see the state as having plush pension benefits — then why not apply with the state? The process is straightforward, simple, and easily done on-line. Stop the bashing. Get in line and snag a state job then for chrissake.

State employment is not like corporate employment — and thank god for that. Having worked in both worlds, my vote goes squarely to state employment. It’s a better environment, better (smarter) people, and a better overall structure than the corporate world.

Actually, the corporate world could learn a lot from the byzantine and bizarre mess that folks often classify as “civil service.”

In terms of asking folks to resign — or expecting folks to have the “grace to resign” — that’s just flat out weird.

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t know when I’ve felt the urge to resign a job … just because. Just because I’m (a) too old, (b) too smart, or (c) too good.

Do I lack good grace? Apparently, so. Excuse me, while I queue up to learn more about “grace”.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 3:08 pm
It is time to fumigate the Illinois House of Representatives. Does anyone from Orland Park want to run for State Rep.? You’ll get a great pension.

Comment by Bill Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 4:25 pm
I am a State employee hired under Governor Thompson as a Technical Advisor III without clout in 1989. Under Edgar I was reclassified as a PSA. In became a Union member in 2004 under Blago and reclassified from the personnel code to union status. Because of that I am on the list. Many other low level attorneys are also as well as administrative assistants. I have been a dedicated public servant for 20 years and have had superior performance evaluations, as have many of the other people in my Department who are on the list. My Department would shut down if the current list is used and so would many others. The majority of the people on the list are low level front line employees.

Comment by Fed Up Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 9:20 pm