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* As I’ve been telling subscribers for a while now, there’s big trouble with the pension reform bill, and it’s coming from what some might expect is an unlikely corner: The House Republicans. HGOP Leader Tom Cross, of course, has been pushing the pension reform bill for months on end, but some of his members are starting to balk…
Sara Wojcicki, a spokeswoman for Cross, the House Republican leader, declined Friday to answer questions about what kind of trouble the bill faced in Cross’ caucus, what changes members are suggesting and how much more current employees will be expected to pay for their benefits.
“This is a very complicated issue and we are working to finalize the bill,” Wojcicki said. “There are many issues still to be resolved in the next couple of weeks.”
But Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg, an opponent of charging more for benefits, said the bill faces serious problems among Republican members.
“I think Representative (Raymond) Poe had the best comment on that. He says, ‘If you don’t have any teachers in your district, then go ahead and vote for change,’” Brauer said. “To change somebody’s pension after they’re hired is wrong.”
* Finke’s take…
Maybe things will turn topsy-turvy next week, but right now it doesn’t feel like there are only 10 scheduled days left in the General Assembly’s spring session. There just doesn’t seem to be a sense of urgency around the place.
There’s plenty of stuff lawmakers could still do, from the budget and remaps to gambling expansion, workers’ comp, pension reform, utility rates and on and on. But it’s not hard to find lawmakers who think most of that stuff will be put off until the fall.
Either the next week will be one of the busiest ever for lawmakers, or the whole session will end with a whimper instead of a bang.
He’s right that a whole lot of issues are on the bubble at the moment. But there is lots of urgency behind the scenes as the clock ticks down to May 31st. For instance, gaming expansion…
Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka on Sunday threw her support behind a city casino.
She is urging the general assembly to authorize one before the end of the legislative session on May 31st.
“World-class cities have casinos,” said Topinka. “Having a casino here would help with tourism, with jobs - it would certainly put some money back in the till both for the city as well as the state, but I think you have to be responsible as well.”
Is this the bill? Looks like it…
Illinois Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Lanny Brooks has spent days lobbying in Springfield during the spring session on behalf of horse owners, and said an amendment will be added to a bill that could bring on-site gaming to the state’s horse tracks.
“I feel better than I did ever before,” Brooks said.
Brooks said he has spoken with the bill’s sponsor, Gaming Committee Chairman Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, and was told an amendment will be added to the gambling expansion bill, which includes on-track gaming as well as a new casino in downtown Chicago and two new riverboat casinos in the state. The amendment is expected to be formally introduced at 9 a.m. Wednesday before the House Executive Committee.
* And workers’ comp…
If the sudden agreement not to talk about workers compensation reform is any indication, negotiators in Springfield might be getting close to a deal.
It’s a deal that Illinois needs to boost its image as an employer-friendly state. But any deal must also be fair to everyone with a stake in the system.
* I’ve kinda lost track of where the school reform trailer bill is going, but the Tribune editorial board glosses over the real issue at stake…
Chicago Teachers Union officials are pleading with lawmakers to change the provisions in the bill that set a high bar for a teachers strike. The bill says that a strike can be called only if 75 percent of the union members vote to approve it. We won’t get into the arcane details, but the debate now focuses on who would get to vote on a strike authorization. The CTU demands changes in separate legislation that would make it easier to hit the 75 percent threshold and send teachers to the picket lines.
There’s good reason to oppose this effort to dilute the reform bill. Chicago has aggressive new leadership coming to the school system. Those leaders will have significant new tools to improve education, thanks to the reform bill on the governor’s desk. But Chicago schools also face a large deficit, and spending cuts are likely. This is a critical time for Chicago’s children. As the schools navigate through the reforms and the budget, parents need to know that Chicago teachers will be in the classroom to teach their children.
They don’t get into the “arcane details” because that would mean explaining that the CTU wants the 75 percent threshold to apply to members who are eligible to vote. That really doesn’t seem all that unreasonable. Debatable, perhaps, but not unreasonable.
* Related…
* Budget woes threaten preschool programs
* State budget cuts to have little effect on Illinois State Fair
* Voters would have last word on school sales taxes under bill approved by Senate
* Rutherford: State nearing ‘financial disaster’
* Illinois should try to get better sale price for Thomson prison
* Voices weigh in on debate over slots at Arlington Park
* Kadner: Emanuel wants casino; Welch no longer does
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 23, 11 @ 2:40 am
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i never thought of las vegas as a “world class city.” i realize that jbt isn’t the brightest bulb in the patch, but can anyone tell me where the casino is in manhatten? or berlin? rome? beijing? tokyo?
the entire culture of chicago would have to change before putting a casino there would be as profitable as people imagine, and i don’t much see chicago’s culture changing. unless they put it in the loop or at o’hare, out-of-towners may have trouble finding it (and half of them will get lost trying to do so)…
Comment by bored now Monday, May 23, 11 @ 6:45 am
With Daley gone, the oldest McCormick Place building might be back in play as a site for a casino.
It no longer covers its nut as a venue and has tens of millions in deferred maintenance.
Daley said if the city didn’t get the Olympics, it would come down. A casino could cover that cost.
I imagine there might be an opportunity for a hotel partner at that site, as well as new development on Motor Row.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 23, 11 @ 7:55 am
Word - I read or heard in the last week that Old McCormick Place might work as a temporary site while a casino is being built but would not be a permanent location. Apparently there is some concern among convention organizers that convention goers would go across the road and hang out at the casino instead of going to the conventions.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Monday, May 23, 11 @ 8:14 am
In light of the remap, if Democrats cannot get their important legislation passed during regular session, and a special session requiring supermajority approval is needed, I would recommend that the Republican legislators take a vacation to Wisconsin or Indiana ala their counterparts in those states. (Only slightly serious.)
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, May 23, 11 @ 8:37 am
– Apparently there is some concern among convention organizers that convention goers would go across the road and hang out at the casino instead of going to the conventions.–
A few shows do have that issue, and is one reason why they won’t go to Las Vegas. But it’s a tradeoff; some shows don’t like McCormick Place because you’re on an island, without any nearby attractions (or hotels) for attendees.
The big shows are a shrinking universe and there’s a glut of convention space all over the country.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 23, 11 @ 8:40 am
If Republicans kill off pension reform, that would be news.
My guess is Madigan will put it up for a vote any way, so Democratic targets can point to their vote.
What will the Tribune and editorial boards say?
My guess is they’ll figure out a way to blame Madigan, even if two-thirds of Republicans vote No.
OR they’ll say it didn’t go far enough.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 23, 11 @ 9:32 am
“World-class cities have casinos,” says Judy Baar Topinka in relation to supporting Chicago getting its very own casino. If Ms. Topinka is referencing Monte Carlo, I think she has never been there.
Casino de Monte-Carlo is really the premier casino. To keep the poorer gamblers out it charges an entrance fee of 10 Euros (about $14). It has a dress code for the gaming rooms. Les Privés a restaurant in the casino cheapest meal without drinks is 80 Euros without wine and drinks (about $114). Now if we are discussing putting a Casino of this calibre in Chicago I am all for it, but I suspect what is being proposed will be filled with pensioners stuffing nickles in the slots, not James Bond sipping martinis and putting down thousands on table games.
Comment by Rod Monday, May 23, 11 @ 9:41 am
“To change somebody’s pension after they’re hired is wrong.”
Then they should pass a law making it illegal in the private sector, too, right?
How fast would Cat/Boeing/United/et al. leave Illinois if that became state law?
Comment by Chris Monday, May 23, 11 @ 10:43 am
Repubs all ran on “pension reform”, but then balk at working with Dems to do just that. Working together in the House on the budget, should be carried forward to other issues.
Comment by walkinfool Monday, May 23, 11 @ 10:44 am
Rutherford had a different tone just a month ago:
http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5801/rutherford-talks-borrowing/
Quinn really seems unable to make friends.
Comment by One step forward two steps back. Monday, May 23, 11 @ 12:26 pm
YDD - great speculation about the fate of Workers’ Comp reform. Clearly Madigan is to blame either way. I think the Tribune’s part is already written. yes, and also they have a Sunday front page story about how many people who live in Madigan’s legislative district are collecting worker’s comp right now and based on that analysis clearly the Speaker tubed this whole effort to protect those people - clearly this is a major scandal
Comment by siriusly Monday, May 23, 11 @ 1:29 pm
@Chris -
Unless I’m mistaken, currently, CAT, Boeing, United, et al. can only change the pensions of existing union employees through collective bargaining or bankruptcy court.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 23, 11 @ 2:04 pm
“Unless I’m mistaken, currently, CAT, Boeing, United, et al. can only change the pensions of existing union employees through collective bargaining or bankruptcy court.”
Sure, but (1) the state can’t resort to Bankruptcy Court, and (2) the position of the state employees is that their future benefits can’t be changed, period, and (3) both the state and those corps have non-union employees who earn pensions–at this point, the corps *can* change those ee’s pensions, going forward, but the state ees have total protection?
That’s preposterous, unless they also cannot be fired, except for cause, which they can. If their terms of *future* employment (or non-employment) can be changed without violating the constitution (that is, if they can be fired and accrue NO additional pension), then it’s irrational that they cannot retain their job and accrue *additional* pension benefits at a reduced rate.
I do agree that, under the Ill Constitution, and basic concepts of fair employment, pension benefits **ALREADY** earned cannot be reduced. But maintaining that they cannot be reduced *going forward* is just as absurd as saying that they cannot be *increased*.
Why not split the baby and say that every current or former state employee only gets the pension benefits that were offered on the day that their right to “no reduction, ever, no matter what” accrued? How many state employees and retirees take that offer?
Comment by Chris Monday, May 23, 11 @ 2:44 pm
I am for slots at all horse tracks. Indian recently added slots.
Regarding the education reform bill. I believe the intent was in Chicago 75% of members present and voting would be required to strike. But the language was ambiguous and can be interpreted as 75% of the total membership is required to strike. I believe the players have agreed to make that change. I could have this wrong but that’s my understanding.
Comment by Mark Monday, May 23, 11 @ 2:46 pm
They might win me over in supporting a city casino if McCormick Lakeshore Pavilion were to be it. It’s an architecturally important building, and it’s spectacular, it deserves to be a public space and if making it into a casino can preserve it, and make it more accessible to the public, and bring the city revenue, I’m inclined to favor it.
Comment by Angry Chicagoan Monday, May 23, 11 @ 3:01 pm
–They might win me over in supporting a city casino if McCormick Lakeshore Pavilion were to be it. It’s an architecturally important building, and it’s spectacular,–
I think you’re talking about Lakeside Centre, the oldest McCormick Place building, a Helmut Jahn creation.
I can assure you with all certainly the powers-that-be at Mac Place have for many years wanted it to come down. They’re committed to the other three buildings.
In the link below, Lee Bey says it would cost $100 million just to get it kosher.
http://www.wbez.org/blog/lee-bey/what-do-lakeside-center
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 23, 11 @ 3:08 pm
I can only hope, when all’s quiet on the western front it means a worker comp. bill will be passed.
And give Chicago a land based casino!
Comment by mokenavince Monday, May 23, 11 @ 3:59 pm
==But maintaining that they cannot be reduced *going forward* is just as absurd as saying that they cannot be *increased*.==
I don’t maintain that stance. The Constitution mandates it. What is absurd to me is the lack of understanding by so many on that guarantee.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, May 23, 11 @ 5:18 pm
Lanny Brooks is the eternal optimist that has had to have his belt and shoelaces taken away from him at the close of each legislative session in recent memory, after each Christmas Tree gaming bill has collapsed under its own weight and/or, his industry was outflanked by opponents, and double and triple crossed by alleged allies at the 11th hour.
Unfortunately, he has led his constituency down the prim-rose path with him so many times, that to many, he has simply become the boy that cried wolf.
The disappointment fueled emotionally charged diatribes posted on-line about Molaro, Lang, and Madigan have probably done very little to help his cause, even if they were good for venting.
Some things are better done privately. I can’t help but think that he would have been far better off a couple of years ago if someone had simply explained to him the concept of Irish Alzheimer’s Disease.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, May 23, 11 @ 8:33 pm
As the state looks for ways to get Illinois’s economy back on track, it’s important to should remember the 2009 capital bill that was a widely supported measure to help solve Illinois’s economic woes. The main funding source of that plan is the Video Gaming Act, which will supply 30 percent of the $31 billion capital plan over the next five years. The investment, if fully implemented, will not only generate revenue for capital investment projects, but also put hundreds of thousands of Illinois workers back on the job. To learn more about the capital plan and its impact, please visit www.BacktoWorkIllinois.com.
Comment by Mariel Tuesday, May 24, 11 @ 12:39 pm
“I don’t maintain that stance. The Constitution mandates it.”
No, it doesn’t. Your INTERPRETATION of the language is that. I, and many others, disagree.
And the drumbeat of “the Constitution GUARANTEES a one-way ratchet” you get people–like me–to say equally absurd things like “fire them all”. I’m tired of the “it can never decrease, only increase” self-serving BS of that argument–if you follow that logic through, it means that, even if a state employee is fired FOR CAUSE, they MUST, Constitutionally, continue to accrue additional pension benefits until they retire. Yeah, that’s absurd, but that’s what the logical end game of saying “they can never be taken away OR REDUCED” is, rather than merely “never taken away”.
Comment by Chris Tuesday, May 24, 11 @ 2:09 pm