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* Potential Democratic US Senate candidate Chris Kennedy just called and said it was “physically impossible” for him to make any announcement about his US Senate race this week. Apparently, others are jumping the gun here.

Also, a widespread rumor that Kennedy would announce tomorrow via online video is false, Kennedy claimed.

* Senate President John Cullerton was just asked about what happened in today’s leaders meeting with the governor. His answer? “We talked about Capitol Fax.” lol [Audio via Dave at IRN. Thanks much.]

* House Speaker Michael Madigan was also asked about progress at the meeting. “Nothing’s decided,” he said. Asked whether that was good or bad, Madigan said, “You tell me.” Video via Patterson…

* The infamous Grover Norquist was at the Statehouse today to talk about the budget…

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said the state’s shortfall results from politicians’ over-spending and financial mismanagement and isn’t taxpayers’ problem to solve - it’s lawmakers’ responsibility.

Maybe not. From a recent study…

• Spending growth: Elementary-secondary education and medical assistance are the only major program areas that have seen significant spending growth since FY 2000. Over the same period of time, funding for human services, higher education, and most other parts of the General Funds budget has not kept pace with inflation. […]

• Understanding the deficit: Almost 60 percent of the $12.3 billion budget gap reflects declining revenues caused by the recession. Most of the remainder is related to the structural deficit — increased payments for state retirement systems and the backlog of unpaid Medicaid bills.

* Thanks to a commenter, here are a couple of quotes we missed earlier today…

Patrick Collins, head of the reform commission, took umbrage when the senate committee rejected the commission”s proposals but unanimously approved of a reform measure sponsored by state Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge.

“I asked my commissioners to change their lives to engage in this process for 100 days. I am not going to participate in a process like the one that happened in there. If any of you think that”s a fair process, that”s wrong,” Collins said.

A committee killed some bills that a large number of people worked months or even years to pass because they believed the measures were vitally important to the state’s future. Happens every day. Literally.

Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline) responded…

“All I can say is ‘Waah waah waah, I want my Mommy,’” Jacobs jokingly sobbed.

“For him to think that we should drop whatever we”re doing to make sure he gets whatever he wants is amazing. Patrick Collins ought to learn that this is a give-and-take process. You just don”t get whatever you want.”

Yowza, man. Everybody really needs to take a breath here.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:47 pm

Comments

You can cut the tension with a spoon, but Collins obviously bought too hard into what Pat Quinn was selling him. Most people would think two consecutive indicted governors would convince us it is time to change….but most people don’t understand how Illinois politics works.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:52 pm
===Most people would think two consecutive indicted governors would convince us it is time to change===

I think the Democratic leaders, particularly, look at that and say “Why do I have to change? It was the governors who were corrupt.”

And therein lies the rub.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:56 pm
Grover Norquist wants a 10 percent cut to state spending across the board.

Even if that were possible - which it isn’t, for reasons Rich has covered thoroughly - that wouldn’t even yield $6 billion.

Did anyone tell Norquist the deficit is $12 billion?

He may be that stupid, but the rest of us aren’t.

Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 1:57 pm
The Democrats will most likely be in control of both chambers for a long time , so why would they want any changes? Pat Collins did a good job on the reform commission but what he doesn’t realize is few voters in Illinois are going to vote against a candidate over ethics legislation. Voters had no problem voting for George Ryan after the rumblings of licenses for bribes hit the papers. Blago was identified by the media as “Public Official A” and was re-elected. Corruption and life long politicians are quite acceptable to a large segment of the the voting population.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:09 pm
When I read Collins comments over the weekend I was suprised by his lack of familiarity with the legislature. Mr. Collins has been very successful arguing his cases to judges and juries. Maybe he thought his arguments for his reforms would be considered by a larger jury. Unfortunately for him, jurors only have to decide one case, are anonymous and don’t have to explain their votes to voters. They are not subject to reappointment or election based on their performance.
Mr. Collins has the backing of the Tribune, who will return to its practice of always endorsing enough Republicans to reach a legislative majority. That is why many legislators do not react to the Trib’s articles and editorials.
The Commission has raised a lot of good ideas and some ideas that are unrealistic. A better understanding of how elected government works and what proposals would have been taken more seriously would have made their work more successful.

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Wow - such comments from a Senator who wouldn’t even be in Springfield if it wasn’t for his Daddy…

Comment by Yeah Right Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Unsolicited advice to Collins - It was Moses who presented the Commandments, you simply offered up some suggestions. There is a huge difference.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Well, I’m afraid Steve is right. The Republicans seem unable to pull themselves together so it looks like the Dems will be in charge for longer than is best for us peons.

Collins should consider his problems getting ethics reform passed as part of a fabulous education in how government really works. At his age, few have had this kind of real life exposure. His future career possibilities are endless and varied.

Meanwhile, as we talk about the budget, I’m surprised no one has mentioned Carol Marin’s recent column which mentions that the Senate
version of the capital bill contains a quarter of a billion appropriation for a redo of legislative offices. Yes, a quarter of a billion. These folks are beyond amazing. Could they be from another planet, maybe?

Anyway, another reason why I strongly suspect that our ever more feckless guv could find some savings somewhere in state government.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:23 pm
Collins needs to understand we live in a representative democracy, unlike his previous life. Maybe he’ll learn.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Mr. Collins: Welcome to the disfunctional world of Illinois politics! Oh, you thought that state government was separate and apart from that?

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Nothing like poking fun at a former AUSA. Do they have a sense of humor? Will collins former friends at the us attys office defend him by setting their sights on those who are mocking the proposed reforms?’

Comment by anon Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:38 pm
Simply an observation - Professionals such as Collins and Fitzgerald seem to exist in an idealistic dimension like a group of Eagle Scouts. This isn’t meant as a criticism, just to point out the messiness of reality compared to the purist’s view of how things should be. I would think that would be cause for embarrassment and some introspection.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:40 pm
The Legislators will pass only the Minimal reform measures possible. It will not hurt them in any way.

Until the voters get smarter about what goes on, it will never change.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:41 pm
give me a break people - Quinn asked Collins and the other members of the IRC to give him 100 days and TALK TO THE VOTERS - across the state - which they did. I don’t blame Collins for firing back at the absolutely ineffective General Assembly -

Comment by collar watchdog Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:50 pm
Mr. Collins has damaged the reform movement in Illinois by being out of touch with reality, annointed by the Governor to undertake reform, displaying an annoying arrogance while making his reform presentation, and by focusing on the wrong branch of government to reform.

If Quinn wanted reform, he didn’t have to empower Collins to do it - Quinn could have just done it in the executive branch first.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:51 pm
The end of this legislative session reminds me of that Spike Lee movie “Do the Right Thing.”

Sal smashes the boombox after the owner refuses to turn it off inside of his establishment. A fight erupts that ends up in a standstill and one dead man, the boombox owner, strangled by the police. Those standing by the sidelines cheering on the fighting, continue to cheer on anyway, pouring gasoline on the situation.

The police then cut out and run and finally “Mookie” (Spike Lee) picks up the garbage can and throws it into the pizza store window, igniting a new riot.

The next day, Sal and Mookie sit in front of the burned out restaurant and Mookie demands his salary, which Sal angrily throws at him.

It’s my place, I spent a lifetime on it, says Sal (in so many words). Mookie argues that it is the neighborhood’s place.

In Springfield, the “I’m not gonna change at all costs group” is behaving like Sal. Collins is more like “Mookie” and the cops who ran off are the voters/taxpayers.

The result ain’t going to be very pretty!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 2:56 pm
“I asked my commissioners to change their lives…”
Huh
I thought it was then Lt. Gov Quinn who started this group. Granted many had ties to the Perkins law firm, but to call “my” commission bangs the big, big ego meter gong.
Chill baby.

Comment by Boxing Cross Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Mike Jacobs is a 4th generation pol, right? If the GOP was smart they would present Collins’ bio, then play a video of Jacobs’ contemptuous mockery and see which person the voters have more faith in as a reformer.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:23 pm
Jacobs’ comment is very funny.

I agree with Rich’s summation of the problem. Collins took a very clear mandate from Quinn (and probably the people) and turned it on its head into some bizarre vendetta against the leaders (mostly Madigan). If he instead focussed on what he was charged with we probably would have a reform bill sitting on the Governor’s desk. But instead he did what US attorneys always do and overstepped his charge. Only in this case, unlike the US Justice department where power goes unfettered, there is a process. There is a voice for dissention and alternative points of view. There is a gathering of opinions and ideas. Many of them thoughtful and valid even though they are not the same as Collins’.

Mr. Collins is not God (nor Moses). He is just one guy, with a healthy ego, who is learning that if you want to bring about change and reform you need to be able to bring about a concensus.

Comment by Cosmic Charlie Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:23 pm
I have it on dubious authority that Collins took steroids that with exercise greatly enhance the ego to bionic proportions. Reformers should be required to take drug tests.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:34 pm
“A committee killed some bills that a large number of people worked months or even years to pass because they believed the measures were vitally important to the state’s future. Happens every day. Literally.”

Yeah…but that don’t make it good govt; good policy; or good for taxpayers…..Seems like just good for the pols.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:39 pm
Years of working at the US Attorneys Office where literally every vase (almost) is a dead-bang winner didn’t prepare Mr Collins for life in the real world. You can’t win them all.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:49 pm
LCD, I’m not sure what your point is. If Jacobs is 4th generation, it’s because they were all elected.

Nobody elected Collins to anything. He’s the head of a personal commission appointed by Quinn, who besides being an accidental governor, is also certainly a political player trying to make points.

We’re all smart enough. Reform measures can stand on their own merits. There’s no need for a White Knight to ride in and deliver an all-or-nothing message.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:51 pm
Sorry, that’s “case” not “vase.”

Comment by paddyrollingstone Tuesday, May 26, 09 @ 3:52 pm
[…] Chris Kennedy won’t announce this week. […]

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