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* For those of you who’d like to actually listen to Gov. Pat Quinn’s State Fair speech in its entirety, you can watch this video, provided by our good friends at BlueRoomStream.com. The governor’s remarks begin at about the 14-minute mark…
* But the only people who could actually hear the speech were those with electronic access to his microphone. This is Part 1 of what everybody actually heard yesterday…
* Part 2…
Discuss.
* News media roundup…
* Democrats booed by unions at State Fair: Congressman Danny Davis, who was with Quinn, said state Democrats treat unions better than Republicans. “If they think they’re going to get more consideration from that group than they get from Pat Quinn and Mike Madigan and John Cullerton, I don’t know what planet they’re living on,” Davis said.
* Protesters boo top Democrats at Illinois State Fair: Raucous protests by members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, angry about proposed wage and pension cuts, hounded the Chicago Democrat all day. They taunted the governor as he entered the annual Democratic County Chairmen’s breakfast Wednesday morning and later as he chomped on a pork chop on a stick in the Pork Patio. The spectacle resulted in one of the shortest Governor’s Day rallies in recent memory.
* Governor’s Day at the State Fair just not Quinn’s day: “Thank you for that warm, warm welcome,” the governor said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. His speech was interrupted by cheers for a union-sponsored plane overhead, pulling a banner that read “Gov. Quinn — Unfair to Workers.” … During his remarks, he insisted the people of Illinois were “with me” and took it directly to his pension-reform critics, almost waving a figurative middle finger at the union-dominated crowd. “I inherited a lot of problems that I didn’t create, but I’m here to repair and resolve them, reform them. And there may be some people perhaps in this audience even who aren’t pleased with some of those decisions, but I want to ask the people of Illinois today: Do you think it’s right that in 1992, some state worker who retired on a $60,000 pension — that’s 1992 and a $60,000 pension — that 20 years later, under the current pension rules that need to be reformed, that very same person is getting $120,000 from the taxpayers? I think most taxpayers and parents in Illinois, particularly those who are concerned about education, want to make sure we invest more money in education of our children and our students in Illinois than we put into the pension piggyback for retired state workers,” he said.
* Unions spoil Quinn’s day at state fair over pension: Not exactly the picture of unity the party sought to project on Democrat Day at the state fair. The protest provided a vivid display of the high political stakes surrounding an election-year special legislative session Quinn has set for Friday on reforming public employee pensions that could result in financial pain for government workers. Organized labor is a vital political constituency in the Democrat-controlled state. But the unionized show of force, which included workers wearing green shirts that featured messages like “Pensions are a promise” and “Governor Quinn’s Illinois, the new Wisconsin” resulted in Democrats cutting short their afternoon program at the fairgrounds. The governor left via a back exit.
* Illinois workers heckle Democratic governor over pension cuts: “They claim Illinois is broke and they blame it on us,” Roach said. “But no one’s talking about the hundreds of millions given to corporations. State employees are made out to be the villains. We’re made out to be greedy, overpaid, underworked - the cause of the problem. But that’s just not the case.”
* Protesters Boo Quinn and Top Democrats at Ill. State Fair: The event, usually a long but festive political rally, ended after just 20 minutes.
* Unions Disrupt Democratic Rally Claiming Quinn’s UnFAIR
* Video: Illinois Gov on pensions and protesters: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn faced questions about pension reform and union protests on Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair.
* Video: Illinois public pension protest: State employees in Illinois say they want their state jobs and state pensions, but also say the government needs to figure out how to pay for them.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:38 am
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In the fax you noted that Lisa Madigan wasn’t there. She was, but left immediately when the program started. Did she not want to appear on stage with Quinn or Daddy?
Comment by Correction Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:42 am
Quinn said: “I think most taxpayers and parents in Illinois, particularly those who are concerned about education, want to make sure we invest more money in education of our children and our students in Illinois than we put into the pension piggyback for retired state workers”
Way to demonize state workers Governor Blag . . . er . . . Quinn. That comments and those like it are EXTREMELY offensive. Put up or shut up Mr. Quinn. Renounce your pension entirely. It will be quite nice. Nicer than even the ridiculous pension example you gave. The attacks on state workers disgust me and you disgust me Governor. You deserve what you got yesterday.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:44 am
The unions should remember Governor Quinn negotiated for them a nice little favor not too long ago. If I was the Governor, I would have been remembering the heck out of that yesterday too. Then immediately determing how to reverse it.
Comment by Lightning Bolt Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:47 am
The unions have a right to be upset with Quinn. I recall that at the union meeting to endorse Quinn in 2010 there was a controversy because he was accompanied to the session with David Vaught who had just negotiated the deal with the unions. It is that deal that Quinn has gone back on.
I wonder if there is a connection with that deal and the confirmation hearing this Friday on David Vaught? Oddly there is only one person whose confirmation is up in Executive Appointments.
Comment by Cinderella Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:49 am
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/14515986-418/madigan-says-republicans-must-help-pass-pension-bill-in-house-on-friday.html
I need irrelevant people! Maybe 60 dems donte really want to anatgonize a donar base that has given millions and could certainly fund 60 primaries-maybe
Comment by western illinois Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:51 am
5 minutes late to a state job and the typical employee is treated like a criminal. But when it comes time to keep a bargain negotiated under a legal contract,all of a sudden the state can stab retirees in the back.
Those boos were music to my ears.
Comment by bobh Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:52 am
western:
That’s been a pathetic Republican talking point forever now. Whining and complaining and no solutions. Ever wonder why they are in such bad shape in this state?
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:59 am
Danny Davis knows of what he speaks. Daley made a living sticking it to city workers on the southwest and north sides.
He calculated, correctly, that those guys wouldn’t vote for candidates like Bobby Rush, Gene Pincham, and Danny Davis.
When your supporters really have no other place to go, you can do what you want.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:00 am
Wow, that should help make the contract negotiations more amiable and productive (any wagers on “Quinnie the Boo” attending the Du Quoin State Fair?). I’d like to know how many retired in 1992 with a pension of $5000 or more per month, from which pension systems, what the average pension amount was, and how many retirees were in each pension system at that time.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:00 am
I run 20 years at 3% on $60,000, and don’t get $120,000. What am I missing?
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:04 am
Steve,
I have to agree, I came up with around $105K. And who in the heck had a $60,000 pension in 1992? I think you would have trouble finding employees with a full salary of $60K twenty years ago.
Comment by Ready To Get Out Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:11 am
Steve,
Quinn is not really good at math. The 60 K to 120 K statement is totally bogus, but it won’t stop Quinn from repeating it again.
His Pension Piggybank statement is going to come back to haunt him.
Comment by Cassiopeia Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:11 am
I get 108k compounded.Someone must have been rounding up a bit too enthusiastically.
Comment by Jimbo Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:12 am
==I run 20 years at 3% on $60,000, and don’t get $120,000. What am I missing?==
A desire to create a talking point that overwhelms all logic and shame, maybe?
Comment by Anonymice Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:12 am
Quinn: “..some state worker..”
Seething hatred for union workers. I don’t know why. He sat back for five years with his mouth shut and his pension account wide open while the union contracts that also benfitted him were collectively bargained. Pat got his. The rest of us can eat cake.
Schnorf - “What am I missing?”
Answer - Honesty from Quinn and his Blagiots.
Comment by Joe from Joliet Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:13 am
I’m guessing tuition at U of I more than doubled since 1992, a gallon of gas and a pack of smokes did too. So is 3% COLA unreasonable? Hell no, it’s barely keeping up.
Comment by chefjeff Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:14 am
Steve, I ran the $60,000 amount out for 20-years, and get $90,000 per year in 2012. (Interestingly “round” numbers…)
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:14 am
The front page of today’s St. Louis Post helps to illustrate the frustration. The story in the top left corner “Door Opens for Some Immigrants” mentions that “Immigrants brought here illegally as children relish (the) chance to get drivers licenses, social security numbers, (and) stay in the U.S. permanently”. Immediately below that story is an article on Illinois pensions. It talks about changing benefits for people who have retired after meeting their obligations, and making decisions based on both negotiated contracts and the State Constitution. “But policymakers in Illinois and across the nation now are beginning to rethink what is legal, what is possible and how to get around what workers think are surefire pension guarantees.”
It seems ironic that we want to change the rules to penalize people who have lived up to their obligations in order to help subsidize those who have illegally side-stepped the rules of our state and federal governments. I’m not too sophisticated, but that seems wrong to me. I think I’d boo these politicians too.
Comment by sk hicks Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:18 am
Quinn just lies. He always has. When he needs a talking point to try and make himself look good he just makes one up. This guy has made a career out of promoting himself. It is just that before he lucked into this job nobody ever paid any attention to him.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:19 am
@ Anon 10:14AM === Steve, I ran the $60,000 amount out for 20-years, and get $90,000 per year in 2012. (Interestingly “round” numbers…) ===
Your numbers assume a non-compounding COLA. Given that IL has a compounded COLA for pensioners, the actual number is a little north of $105,000 per year for a person who retired in 1992 with a pension of $60,000.
Comment by TCB Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:25 am
chefieff — I’d guess U of I tuition has doubled since 2002!
Comment by Ready To Get Out Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:26 am
Oops, it does but I forgot to change one “little” parameter in my spreadsheet. The number I get is $108,360 per year.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:32 am
So, was the sign language interpreter signing Quinn’s speech or the chanting?
Comment by Champaign Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:39 am
===signing Quinn’s speech or the chanting? ===
Both. She was pretty hilarious.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:42 am
Crowds were big, tempers were high, messages were loudly proclaimed, the powerful were confronted, and no one was physically threatened in any way.
American democracy at its best.
Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:51 am
While most rank and file workers should feel wronged by the Governor’s lying, they should also recognize a few things.
1. Stories like this do not help your cause: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-bellwood-indictment-20120816,0,509452.story
Pulling down more than a quarter of a million in a public pension makes the public think the entire system is broken. Elected officials should be held accountable in cases like this, since they’re the ones who let it happen.
2. If your friends let you down like this, maybe you should get more reliable friends.
3. If your leaders let you think your vote will protect your interests, and it doesn’t happen, get new labor leaders.
Good luck to labor. But maybe you should adjust your expectations in this new day and age.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:52 am
quinn’s $60k/$120k pension example is highly selective and distorted, as several have said. at 50% of pay at retirement, that woulda been a salary of $120k. at 75% of pay at retirement, that woulda been $80k. not typical at all for 1992.
since quinn raised the issue, exactly what will his pension be?
Comment by langhorne Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:56 am
Love the demonstrations yesterday. More of that is needed. The message should be clear. “You take us down and you’re going with us”.
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 11:33 am
I think I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that if AFSCME could/would produce bodies like this to work on campaigns on a regular basis, they might not be in this position.
20 years ago, all of Southern Illinois & metro east, and pockets all over downstate had strong, union supporting Democrats. Now we pretty much have Phelps, Forby and Bradley holding back the tide.
The Dems lost scores of downstate seats in the past two decades while struggling to find campaign volunteers outside of the trade unions, and often watching AFSCME endorse the GOP. You make your bed, and eventually, you have to sleep in it.
Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 1:00 pm
- ILPundit - My union put out scores of campaign phone bankers, precinct workers, election day work,and lots of cash. For years. I’m a SERS retiree now. Based on your logic, shouldn’t I be getting a free pass on pension cuts now?
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 1:26 pm
ILPundit—In case you didnt notice, AFSCME right along with Laborers, Operating Engineers, IBEW, and every other Union in Southern IL was strong behind Quinn in 2010, and even brag about helping him win. They were right there with Forby, Phelps, and Bradley who is still strongly in the Govs corner. And they all will be again in 2014. You are right, they did make their bed, even tho they knew it might not be in the best interest of AFSCME Members. As a retiree of DOC, I am also concerned about what will come about in the “Pension Reform”, but not sure if I can believe, in 2012, a Union who was behind Quinn in 2010, and will be again in 2014.
Comment by SO IL M Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 2:15 pm
Pat Quinn’s folks are not the only ones who know putting up big numbers first on TV and in the press get the most play and stick in the public mind. The facts tend to come late and with not so much ballyhoo. A local Alderman was quoted in the newspaper as saying a construction project in their district would have cost Two Million more if it would have been done Union. The facts would later show the Union bid was low by about One Hundred Thousand Dollars. That did not make the news so in most minds the first number wins.
Comment by Bemused Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 2:24 pm
–The Dems lost scores of downstate seats in the past two decades…–
Scores? As in, at least 40? How are they still in the majority?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 2:36 pm
Quinn thinks the pension cuts are going to be a huge plus with the voters and he is right. Problem is that these are the same voters that will reject him because of his income tax hike and record of wasteful spending. These voters don’t care as deeply about the pension issue as do the Teachers, Cops, Fire Fighters, and Union Members. Be sure of this, they will be devastated and veracious in their desire for Revenge.
Comment by Poor Democrat Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 3:18 pm
I’m not sure that this over the top display will backfire on AFSCME in the minds of the PUBLIC. I think they went too far and blew it.
Comment by dr. reason a. Goodwin Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 4:25 pm
afscme should be ashamed of the venom they brought to the state fair yesterday. it was the most negative, rude and disturbing display directed at one person i have ever seen. totally counterproductive.
Comment by horseracer Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 7:00 pm
These individuals, particularly the teachers, are supposed to be role models for the children. Thankfully,due to parental involvement, my children are better behaved when they are told no. Perhaps the union types can use my children as role models in the future
Comment by Sueann Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 8:29 pm
I’m sure the 2nd highest paid Governor in this nation has thick enough skin to endure a little booing. He got off light given his poor treatment of labor in this state. Wildly hypocritical given his comments regarding Scott Walker
Comment by Generation X Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 9:02 pm
I was very conflicted by the coverage of the state fair AFSCME demonstration. I usually join in these demonstrations but thought the fair coverage was a little much for me. I had prior appointments that I had to attend to and I was glad when I saw the video of AFSCME demonstrations at the fair. THEN I attended an agency sponsored meeting on my lunch hour and it all made sense. The Governor and all involved are asking for alot more than two paygrades (colas and step raises for two years), health ins. increases, and holidays and vacations days. They even asked that all state employees who do not pay parking fees to do so at any agency that has free parking available?!?!?!?! They are going after EVERYTHING in the contract. Maternity and paternity leave ALL of it. Anything in the contract is being challenged. So I get it! Instead of a strike let the Governor know we ARE peod enough to strike if it comes to it. I certainly had know idea how bad it was until I went to the meeting. I am all for a pay freeze for 4 years but if you really look this is absolutely incredible. Hopefully a mediator will intervene. Pay attention and act union members.
Comment by Isuredontknow the answer Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:00 pm
It’s NOT the proposed pension revisions that drove the protest. It’s the substantial cuts in salary and benefits that the administration is proposing in the next AFSCME contract. Purportedly, if the administration has its way the next contract will feature the following:
Gross salary reduction by two pay grades (approx. 13%)
NO step increases.
NO annual cost of living increases.
Elimination of longevity pay ($600 or $900/yr).
Loss of 2 Vacation days and 2.5 Holidays.
Increase work week to 40hr from 37.5hr.
Worker share of health care to be set to fixed percentage (9%-30% of cost for employee plus 35% for dependent coverage.
Copays to double.
Pensions contributions to increase by 6% of gross salary to cover current SOI 4% share and deal with past underfunding.
This material was handed out to employees a few days ago. Supposedly the administration is NOT budging on these worker concessions. THIS is what set everyone’s hair on fire and had them running out the fairgrounds with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth .
Comment by Cletus X Shufflebottom Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:10 pm
@Cletus Yes, thats what know one knows. There is soooo much more to this story. Even as an active member I had know Idea. Sjr is clueless and noone but capitolfax shows the true story. So I can get the outrage yesterday.
Comment by Isuredontknow the answer Thursday, Aug 16, 12 @ 10:39 pm